Library  of  the 
University    of  North  Carolina 

Endowed  by  the  Dialectic  and  Philan- 
thropic Societies. 


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C  op  3 


FOR  USE  ONLY  IN 
THE  NORTH  CAROLINA  COLLECTION 


jg|ffl}^_ae§__g^  MiL^ii^ 


Form  No.  A-368,  Rev.  8/95 


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>^®Ki<.s:isaja.®!Ri  [Bo'*5?aki®[e. 


,i.i0iu'j.i9^«'iiitr/).is. 


MEMORIAL   ADDRESSES 


LIFE  AND  CHARACTER 


ZEBULON  BAIRD  VANCE 


([.ATK  A  Sknatok  fkom   North  ("akoi.i\^ 


DKI.IVKKKI)    !\     IflK 


SENATE  AND  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES, 


Fll-  1  V-lHTRIi  CdNLKls-,,   '["HIUli  SkssIMN. 


PIJHMSHKD     HV     ORDKK     <>  !•      ( DNCiKKSS, 


\VASIIIi\(;T()N: 
IV  I-.  KN  M  r.N  r     rKINllNc:     chiuk 

1S95. 


•  r 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Proceedings  in  the  Senate 

Memorial  address  by —  , 

Mr.  Bate -        ■ '"  g 

Mr.  Blackburn , 

Mr.  Call 

Mr.  Chandler , 

Mr.  Drnois ~"  ^^ 

Mr.  George 

Mr.  Gk.\y ^g 

Mr.  Jarvis ^^ 

Mr.  Morrill ;^^ 

Mr.  Ransom "'  ~ 

Mr.  Sherm.\n 

89 
Proceedings  in  the  House ■-- 

Memorial  address  by—  ^ 

Mr.  Alexander 

129 
Mr.  Bland , 

Mr.  Bower. _   ^^ 

Mr.  Br.vnch 

144 
Mr.BRVAN 

Mr.BuNN ^^^ 

Mr.  Carcth jg, 

Mr.  Crawford   

120 
Mr.  Daniels , 

Mr.  Henderson  of  Iowa 

Mr.  Henderson  of  North  Carolina 94 

Mr.  Hooker  of  Mississippi -- 

Mr.  McMlLLlN 


Mr.  Springer  _ ,    

Mr.  Sw.\NSoN  _    -• 

Mr.  W.\rner   _    

Mr.  Wheeler  of  Alabama ^----. 

Mr,  Woodard 

3 


134 
136 
150 

126 
172 


Death  of  Senator  Vance. 


Proceedings  in  the  Senate, 

April  i6,  1894. 

Tlie  Chaplain,  Rev.  W.  H.  Milburn,  D.  D.,  made  the 
following  prayer: 

O  Eternal  God,  with  bowed  hearts  we  come  to  the  foot 
of  Thy  throne.  While  the  fnneral  knell  sounds  through 
the  Capitol  announcing  the  death  of  another  Senator, 
while  North  Carolina  mourns  the  departure  from  earth  of 
a  beloved  and  honored  son,  and  the  nation  feels  the  loss, 
we  bless  Thee  for  his  large  native  powers  schooled  in  the 
wide  experience  of  public  affairs,  and  for  his  genial  humor, 
enriching  and  illumining  all  subjects  he  touched,  making 
him  kindly  with  his  kind,  by  virtue  fif  which  he  shed  the 
influence  of  a  wise  and  beneficent  counsel  and  character 
upoi),  his  native  State  and,  by  virtue  of  his  place  in  this 
Chamber,  upon  the  land  at  large. 

Grant  to  the  widow  and  children  under  this  sore  bereave- 
ment the  onh-  comfort  which  can  come  to  human  hearts  at 
such  a  time— unshaken  faith  in  Thy  holy  Gospel  and  the 
consolation  and  sympathy  of  Thy  beloved  Son.  As  the 
earthly  part  of  one  of  our  brothers  has  ended   upon   the 

5 


6  Proceedi}tgs  in  tJic  Senate. 

border  of  the  invisible  world,  grant  that  we  hear  from  Thy 
lips,  "Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord:  yea, 
saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors." 
We  humbly  pra\-,  through  Jesus  Christ,  our  Saviour. 
Amen. 

ANNOUNCEMEXT   OF   DEATH. 

Mr.  Ransom.  Mr.  President,  it  is  my  melancholy  duty 
to  announce  to  the  Senate  the  death  of  Hon.  Zebulon 
Baird  Vance,  late  a  Senator  from  North  Carolina.  He 
died  on  Saturday  night  last  at  forty-five  minutes  past 
lo  o'clock,  at  his  residence  on  Massachusetts  avenue,  in 
this  city.  Though  his  long-continued  and  serious  illness 
ought  to  have  prepared  all  of  us  for  the  sad  event,  still, 
beguiled  by  his  own  cheerful  and  hopeful  spirit,  none  of  us 
had  dreamed  that  the  white  horses  were  coming  so  rapidly 
to  his  door. 

His  death  shocks  us  to  the  depths  of  our  hearts.  It  is 
a  calamity,  a  sorrow,  a  deep  public  and  personal  bereave- 
ment. A  great  man  has  fallen  in  our  midst;  a  great 
patriot,  a  great  statesman,  a  great  thinker,  a  great  actor  has 
passed  away  from  our  sight  for  this  life. 

He  died  at  his  post  of  duty  with  his  complete  armor  on, 
with  his  face  to  the  front,  courageous,  liopeful,  useful  to  the 
last.  Sufferings  did  not  break  his  proud  spirit,  nor  dim  his 
noble  intellect,  nor  shake  his  fearless  fortitude.  Full  of 
years,  but  still  in  the  strength  of  his  eminent  faculties, 
crowned  with  exalted  honors,  but  still  animated  with  yet 
higher  aspirations  and  promise  of  doing  good,  pliysically 
wrecked  and  overcome  witli  incurable  malady,  he  stood 
firmly  in  tlie  line  of  his  comrades  and  at  the  last  moment 


Proceedings  in  the  Sciia/e.  7 

sereneh-  gathered  his  robes  around  him  and  stepped  with 
the  dignity  of  a  Senator  and  the  faith  of  a  Christian  from 
earth  into  eternity.  It  looks  as  if  by  some  prophetic  intui- 
tion he  had  returned  from  the  spring  flowers  and  the  genial 
skies  of  Florida  to  lay  down  his  sword  and  shield  on  the 
very  altars  of  his  country. 

This  is  not  the  time  for  the  analysis  of  his  character; 
for  eulogies  of  his  virtues;  for  the  history  of  his  illustrious 
services.  On  some  fitting  day  I  shall  ask  the  Senate  to  do 
justice  to  his  honored  memory. 

But,  sir,  I  should  commit  a  very  great  wrong  not  to  say 
now  with  what  unspeakable  pain  and  infinite  grief  the 
death  of  Senator  Vance  smites  the  people  of  North  Caro- 
lina. For  more  than  forty  years,  in  peace  and  in  war,  he 
has  been  the  most  beloved  and  the  most  honored  son  of 
that  great  State.  From  the  ever  flowing  ocean,  across  the 
hills  and  plains  and  valleys  to  the  majestic  mountain  tops, 
he  was  a  familiar  and  most  dear  object  to  the  hearts  and 
homes  of  all  our  people.  Language  can  not  describe  the 
admiration  and  love  and  gratitude  of  those  of  all  a^es  of 
both  sexes;  of  every  class,  condition,  and  race;  of  the 
whole  people  of  North  Carolina,  for  this  great  and.  good 
man,  tlieir  benefactor  and  bulwark  in  prosperity  and  adver- 
sity. Standing  by  his  lifeless  form  to-day,  it  is  my  sacred 
duty,  representing  a  Commonwealth  of  nearly  2,000,000 
souls,  to  shed  upon  his  mortal  ashes  the  tears  of  their  affec- 
tion and  deepest  sorrow. 

He  seemed,  sir,  as  if  by  destin\-  to  hold  in  his  hands  tlie 
hearts  of  the  people,  and  at  tliis  moment  the  throbbing 
breasts  of  thousands  are  following  his  silent  march  to  the 
tomb.      If  he  had  faults  they  were  bold,  brave,  open  faults, 


8  Proceedings  in  the  Senate. 

which  are  forever  eclipsed  and  forgotten  in  the  splendor 
of  a  great  and  glorious  life,  and  in  the  niagnaniniit\-  of  a 
noble  nature. 

As  I  think  of  the  short  interval  at  which  he  follows  the 
beloved  Georgian  from  the  folding  doors  of  this  Chamber 
to  their  last  rest  it  looks  as  if  two  tall  oaks  which  stood 
over  and  shaded  our  hearthstones  had  fallen  in  the  early 
evening,  after  the  storm  and  heat  of  the  day  had  passed, 
and  before  the  shades  of  night  and  winter  had  fallen  upon 
their  airtumnal  leaves.  Colquitt  and  Vance  had  done 
their  duty  to  their  country  and  their  fellow-men. 

But  I  must  not  trust  myself  further.  At  the  hour  of  9 
to-night  the  committees  of  the  two  Houses  of  Congress,  the 
entire  delegation  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  and  the 
special  committee  from  the  State,  with  the  sad  family  and 
friends,  will  leave  the  capital  of  the  Star  Spangled  Repub- 
lic and  bear  the  remains  of  Go\-ernor  Vaxce  through  the 
sister  State  of  \'irginia  to  the  beautiful  capital  of  North 
Carolina,  and  thence  take  them  to  his  burying  ground  on 
the  mountain  side  overlooking  the  blue  torrents  of  the 
French  Broad  and  in  sight  of  lovely  Asheville,  and  there 
leave  them  in  the  shade  of  the  evergreens  and  in  the  mir- 
ror and  melody  of  flowing  waters  to  sleej)  with  his  patri- 
otic fathers.  And  as  the  clouds  at  evening  hang  upon  the 
bo.som  and  eternal  towers  of  Black  ^Mountain,  so  will  a 
shadow  of  sorrow  rest  upon  the  bosom  of  all  his  ]5cople. 
But  the  light  of  his  life  with  the  early  rays  of  morning 
will  dispel  the  gloom  from  the  mountains  and  from  their 
hearts. 

And  now  I  can  onh-  venture,  in  the  name  of  the  stricken 
Senate,  with  gentlest  sympathy  to  send  to  the  noble  and 


Proceedings  in  iJw  Senate.  9 

devoted  woman  who  for  inontlis,  by  day  and  niylit,  witli 
unwearied  vio-ilance,  has  stood  bv  him  like  an  aneel  of 
light  and  love  our  heartfelt  condolence  and  tenderness,  and 
to  hold  up  to  his  brave  sons  the  ever  living  beacon  of  their 
father's  life.  He  expired  solaced  in  the  arms  and  affec- 
tions of  his  wife  and  children.  And  may  our  Almighty 
Father,  in  His  supreme  and  infinite  goodness,  bestow  upon 
them  His  strength  and  comfort. 

Mr.  President,  I  beg  leave  to  ask  consideration  bv  the 
Senate  of  the  resolutions  which  I  send  to  the  desk. 

The  Vice-Presidext.   The  resolutions  will  be  read. 

The  Secretary  read  the  resolutions,  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  the  Senate  has  heard  with  great  sorrow  of  the  deatli  of  the 
Hon.  Zebulon  B.  Vance,  late  a  Senator  from  the  State  of  North  CaroHna. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  nine  Senators  be  appointed  by  the  Vice-Presi- 
dent to  take  order  for  superintending  the  funeral  of  Mr.  Vance,  which  will  take 
place  to-day  in  the  Senate  Chamber,  at  4  o'clock  p.  m.,  and  that  the  Senate  will 
attend  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  as  a  furtlier  mark  of  respect  entertained  by  tlie  Senate  for  his 
memory,  his  remains  be  removed  from  Washington  to  North  Carolina  in  charge 
of  the  Sergeanl-at-Arms,  and  attended  by  the  committee,  who  shall  have  full 
power  to  carry  this  resolution  into  efifect. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  communicate  these  proceedings  to  the  House  of 
Representatives  and  invite  the  House  of  Representatives  to  attend  the  funeral 
to-day,  Monday,  at  4  o'clock  p.  m.,  and  to  appoint  a  committee  to  act  with  the 
committee  of  the  Senate. 

The  Vice-President.  The  question  is  on  agreeing  to 
the  resolutions. 

The  resolutions  were  unanimously  agreed  to. 

The  Vice-President  appointed  as  the  select  committee 
under  the  second  resolution  Mr.  Ransom,  Mr.  George, 
Mr.  Gray,  Mr.  Blackburn,  Islr.  Coke,  Mr.  Chandler,  jlr. 
Dubois,  Mr.  White,  and  Mr.  Manderson. 

He  also  announced  as  the  honorary  pallbearers  Air.  "Slor- 
rill,  Mr.  Sherman,  Mr.  Harris,  and  Mr.  McPherson. 


lo  Proceedings  in  tlie  Senate. 

Mr.  Ransom.  Mr.  President,  I  beg  leave  to  offer  the 
resolution  which  I  send  to  the  desk,  and  ask  for  its  imme- 
diate consideration. 

The  resolution  was  considered  by  nnanimous  consent, 
and  unanimously  agreed  to;  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  invitations  be  extended  to  the  President  of  the  United  States 
and  the  members  of  his  Cabinet,  the  Chief  Justice  and  the  associate  justices  of 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  the  diplomatic  corps,  the  Major-Gen- 
eral  Commanding  the  Army,  and  the  senior  admiral  of  the  Navy  to  attend  the 
funer.il  of  the  Hon.  Zebulon  Baird  V.\nce,  late  a  Senator  from  the  State  of 
North  Carolina,  in  the  Senate  Chamber  to-day,  Monday,  at  4  o'clock  p.  ni. 

Mr.  Jones  of  Arkansas,  from  the  Committee  to  Audit 
and  Control  the  Contingent  Expenses  of  the  Senate, 
reported  the  following  resolution;  and  it  was  considered 
by  unanimous  consent,  and  agreed  to: 

Resolved,  That  the  expenses  incurred  by  the  select  committee  appointed  to 
take  order  for  the  funeral  of  the  late  Senator  Z.  B.  Vance  be  paid  from  the 
contingent  fund  of  the  Senate. 

A  message  from  the  Hou.se  of  Representatives,  by  Mr. 
T.  O.  Towles,  its  Chief  Clerk,  announced  that  the  House 
had  passed  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  the  House  has  heard  with  profound  sorrow  the  announcement 
of  the  death  of  Hon.  Zkhi'lon  Bairu  Vance,  late  a  Senator  from  the  State  of 
North  Carolina. 

Resolved,  That  the  Speaker  of  the  House  ajjpoint  a  committee  of  nine  mem- 
bers to  act  in  conjunction  with  the  committee  appointed  by  the  .Senate  to  make 
the  necessary  arrangements  and  to  accompany  the  remains  to  the  place  of  burial. 

Resolved,  That  the  House  accept  the  invitation  of  the  Senate  to  attend  tlie 
funeral  this  afternoon  at  4  o'clock. 

Resolved,  That  a  recess  be  now  taken  until  3.45  p.  m.,  at  whicli  hour  the 
House  will  proceed  in  a  body  to  the  .Senate  Chamber  to  attend  the  funeral,  and 
at  the  conclusion  thereof,  on  return  to  its  Chamber,  the  Speaker,  as  a  further 
mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased,  shall  declare  the  House 
adjourned. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  of  the  House  notify  llie  Senate  of  the  action  of  the 
House. 


Proceedings  in  the  Scnalc.  ii 

The  messao^e  also  auuounced  that  the  Speaker  of  the 
House  had  appointed  Mr.  Henderson  of  North  Carolina, 
Mr.  Black  of  Illinois,  Mr.  Alexander,  Mr.  Brookshire,  Mr. 
Crawford,  Mr.  Daniels,  Mr.  Strong,  Mr.  Blair,  and  Mr. 
Honk  as  the  committee  to  act  in  conjunction  with  the 
Senate  committee  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements 
and  accompany  the  remains  of  the  deceased  Senator  to  the 
place  of  burial. 

At  3  o'clock  and  53  minutes  p.  m.  the  members  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  preceded  by  the  Sergeant-at- 
Arms  and  Clerk,  and  headed  by  the  Speaker,  entered  the 
Senate  Chamber.  The  Speaker  was  escorted  to  a  seat  at 
the  right  of  the  Vice-President,  the  Clerk  at  the  Secre- 
tary's desk,  and  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  on  the  right  of  the 
Vice-President's  desk,  while  the  members  of  the  House 
were  escorted  to  seats  on  the  floor  which  had  been  pro- 
vided for  them. 

They  were  soon  followed  by  the  Chief  Justice  and  asso- 
ciate justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States, 
the  diplomatic  corps,  and  the  President  and  his  Cabinet 
ministers,  who  were  respectively  escorted  to  the  seats  as- 
signed them  on  the  floor  of  the  Senate  Chamber. 

The  casket  containing  the  remains  of  the  deceased  Sen- 
ator was  brought  into  the  Senate  Chamber,  preceded  by 
Rev.  W.  H.  Milburn,  D.  D.,  the  Chaplain  of  the  Senate, 
and  Rev.  Moses  D.  Hoge,  D.  D.,  of  Richmond,  Va.,  and 
escorted  by  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  of  the  Senate,  the  com- 
mittees of  arrangements  of  the  two  Houses,  the  honor- 
ary pallbearers  of  the  Senate  and  House,  and  pallbearers 
selected  from  the  Capitol  police,  and  followed  by  the  mem- 
bers of  the  family  and  friends  of  the  deceased. 


12  Proceedings  in  the  Senate. 

Rev.  ]\Ioses  D.  Hoge,  D.  D. ,  offered  the  following  pra\er: 

O  God,  most  high,  most  holy,  most  merciful,  with 
lowly  reverence  of  spirit  and  hearts  subdued  by  the  hal- 
lowed memories  of  the  departed,  and  by  the  tender  offices 
of  the  hour,  we  invoke  Thy  gracious  presence,  help,  and 
benediction. 

Hear  our  prayer,  O  Lord;  give  ear  unto  our  cr\-;  hold 
not  Thy  peace  at  our  tears,  for  we  are  strangers  with  Thee 
and  sojourners  as  all  our  fathers  were. 

Father  of  Mercies,  ever  assuring  Thy  chastened  children 
of  Thine  unchanging  love,  be  very  near  to  us  now  in  this 
the  hour  of  our  sorrow,  as  we  come  to  cast  our  care  upon 
Thee  and  to  seek  the  strength  and  consolation  Thou  onh- 
canst  impart. 

As  a  father  pities  his  children,  so  do  Thou  pity  us;  as 
one  whom  his  mother  comforteth,  so  do  Thou  comfort 
us,  and  so  sanctify  our  deepest  distress  that,  being  made 
partakers  of  Thy  holiness,  we  may  be  prepared  for  ever- 
lasting blessedness  in  the  world  where,  after  the  separa- 
tions of  time,  we  may  find  our  true  home;  where  all  who 
have  departed  in  Christ  await  our  coming,  beyond  the 
reach  of  sorrow  and  tears,  in  the  realm  of  eternal  light 
and  gladness. 

Hear  us,  we  beseech  Thee,  for  the  sake  of  Thy  well- 
beloved  Sou,  to  whom,  with  Thee,  O  Father,  and  the  Holy 
Spirit,  we  will  give  honor  and  glor}'  forever.     Amen  I 

After  reading  the  ninetieth  Psalm  and  the  fifteenth 
chapter  of  First  Corinthians,  Rev.  Dr.  Hoge  delivered  the 
following  address: 

Tlie  shadow  of  a  great  sorrow  has  fallen  on  this  Cham- 
ber.    The  bloom  and  fragrance  of  spring,  the  sun  sliining 


Proceedings  in  the  Senate.  13 

bright  and  clear,  bring  no  delight  to  our  eyes,  no  cheer  to 
our  hearts.  What  are  all  the  aspects  of  this  vernal  season, 
what  even  the  great  subjects  that  absorb  and  agitate  us 
in  daily  life,  at  this  moment,  when  we  see  around  us  the 
badges  of  mourning,  the  tears  of  the  bereaved,  and  when 
we  look  upon  that  bier  and  remember  who  lies  upon  it? 

In  the  discharge  of  the  mournful  office  assigned  to  me,  it 
is  not  my  province  to  awaken  those  tender  regrets  which 
the  recital  of  the  personal  virtues  and  public  services  of 
your  late  associate  must  ever  excite.  This  grateful  duty 
will  be  performed  by  those  who  are  best  qualified  for  it  by 
long  acquaintance  and  intimate  association. 

These  tributes  to  his  memory  when  completed  will  not 
only  form  a  permanent  part  of  his  personal  histor}-,  but  an 
addition  to  the  history  of  the  State  he  represented  and 
served  so  well.  Nor  can  I  speak  of  that  genial  spirit — 
oftentimes  jubilant — which  made  him  such  a  favorite  with 
the  people,  nor  of  other  attractive  qualities  of  mind  and 
heart  which  converted  acquaintances  into  friends,  and 
which  now,  to  be  enjoyed  no  more,  converts  friends  into 
mourners. 

The  only  theme  on  which  it  is  becoming  in  me  to  dwell 
takes  us  to  a  higher  plane,  and  I  could  preface  what  I 
wish  to  say  by  the  declaration  that  the  first  requisite  to 
the  highest  and  most  symmetrical  develop:nent  of  what  is 
noblest  in  man,  be  he  soldier,  sage,  or  Senator,  is  sincere, 
consistent,  heartfelt  piet>-.  There  are  indeed  mere  natural 
virtues  which  command  respect  and  admiraion,  but  after 
all  "a  Christian  is  the  highest  style  of  man." 

Piety  toward  God  is  the  surest  incentive  to  the  full 
discharge  of  all  duties  toward  man,  the  truest  and  most 


14  Proceedings  in  the  Senate. 

unfailing  inspiration  of  honor,  the  strongest  safeguard  of 
personal  integrity,  the  most  efficient  aid  in  the  pursuit  and 
attainment  of  \vhatsoe\-er  things  are  just  and  true  and 
lovely  and  of  good  report.  The  man  who  ever  lives  as 
under  "the  great  Taskmaster's  eye,"  who  believes  and 
remembers  that  God  is  now  the  witness  of  his  conduct  and 
to  be  his  final  judge,  and  who,  in  all  his  acts,  personal  and 
official,  strives  to  maintain  a  conscience  void  of  offense,  is 
the  man  who  above  all  others  will  be  most  fearless  in  meet- 
ing every  responsibility  and  most  faithful  in  discharging 
every  trust.  This  is  the  spirit  which  elevates  its  possessor 
above  all  that  is  ignoble,  narrow,  and  selfish,  because  all 
the  ends  he  aims  at  will  be  those  of  "country,  God,  and 
truth."  How  true  this  picture  is  of  our  lamented  brother 
and  friend  let  your  hearts  attest. 

And  now,  remembering  on  whom  the  bereavement  falls 
with  heaviest  weight,  what  can  we  do  but  take  her  in  the 
arms  of  our  faith,  sympathy,  and  Christian  affection,  and 
commit  her  to  the  care  and  love  of  our  Father  in  Hea\en — 
to  the  protection  and  sustaining  grace  of  our  Elder  Brother, 
whose  hand  alone  is  soft  enough  to  wipe  away  the  tears  of 
bereavement  and  tender  enough  to  l)ind  up  the  l)leeding 
heart.  May  God  comfort  His  handmaiden,  and  all  dear  to 
her,  and  be  their  strength,  song,  and  salvation. 

To-day  the  voice  of  Providence  unites  with  the  voice  of 
inspiration  in  admonishing  us  that  all  the  glory  of  man  is 
as  the  flower  of  the  grass. 

We  are  told  that  Massillon,  about  to  deliver  one  of  his 
wonderful  funeral  orations,  found  himself  in  a  church  sur- 
rounded with  all  the  pomp  and  pageantry  of  the  court. 
The  church  was  not  only  hung  with  black  drapery,  but  the 


Proceedings  in  the  Senate.  15 

light  of  day  was  excluded,  and  only  a  few  dim  tapers 
burned  on  the  altar. 

The  beauty  and  chivalry  of  the  land  were  there.  The 
King  was  clothed  in  sackcloth  and  bowed  with  grief. 
There  was  silence,  a  solemn  hush  pervading  the  assembly. 
MassillcJli  arose.  His  hands  were  folded  on  liis  breast; 
his  eyes  were  lifted  toward  Heaven.  He  stood  mute  and 
abstracted.  Presently  his  fixed  look  was  unbent;  his  eye 
roved  over  the  scene  where  every  pomp  was  displayed, 
where  every  emblem  of  rank  and  power  was  exhibited. 
The  eye  could  find  no  resting  place  amidst  all  this  parade 
and  histrionic  mourning.  At  length  it  settled  on  the  bier 
on  which  lay  dead  royalty,  covered  with  a  pall.  A  sense 
of  the  indescribable  nothingness  of  man  at  his  best  estate 
overcame  tlie  preacher,  until  in  a  scarce  audible  voice  he 
startled  the  deep  silence  with  the  words:  "There  is  noth- 
ing great  but  God ! ' ' 

To-day  this  Senate  Chamber,  by  a  solemn  dispensation, 
is  converted  into  a  "lodge  of  sorrow,"  and  here  in  an 
audience  containing  those  who  occupy  the  highest  posts 
of  influence  and  power  in  this  land  all  temporal  distinc- 
tions for  the  moment  seem  to  be  forgotten,  as  well  as  all  the 
questions  of  absorbing  interest  which  agitate  the  public 
mind,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  dead — in  the  presence  of 
the  Great  Judge  of  quick  and  dead — one  pathetic  utterance 
alone  arrests  our  attention:  "  ]Man  that  is  born  of  a  woman 
is  of  few  days,  and  full  of  trouble.  He  cometh  forth  like  a 
flower,  and  is  cut  down:  he  fleeth  also  as  a  shadow,  and 
continueth  not."  Once  more  are  we  warned  that  pallid 
death,  with  impartial  hand,  knocks  at  all  doors;  he  enters 
with  equal  freedom  the  homes  of  the  humble  and  tlie  gates 


1 6  Procccr/iiigs  in  I  lie  Senate. 

of  tlie  Capitol;  he  casts  his  chilling  shadow  over  the  lowh" 
hovel  and  the  halls  of  national  legislation;  he  strips  off  the 
rags  of  the  pauper  and  the  robes  of  the  Senator;  and  so, 
to-day,  pride,  ambition,  vainglor)-,  and  the  strifes  and  ani- 
mosities of  the  hour,  veil  their  faces,  and  eternal  things 
alone  seem  worthy  of  supreme  regard.  Once  more  we  hear 
the  voice  coming  out  of  the  bygone  century:  "'There  is 
nothing  great  but  God!" 

If  by  the  mournful  pro\idence  which  has  summoned  us 
here  we  are  taught  more  impressively  than  ever  the  evanes- 
cence of  all  earthly  good;  if  we  are  possessed  afresh  with 
the  conviction  that  "he  builds  too  low  who  builds  beneath 
the  skies;"  if  we  are  led  to  the  cross,  where  the  defenseless 
find  shelter  and  the  guilty  find  pardon;  if  through  the  grace 
which  fortifies  the  soul  against  the  dread  of  death  we  gain 
preparation  for  the  duties  of  life;  if  we  address  ourselves 
with  new  resolution  to  the  discharge  of  those  duties  with 
minds  chastened  and  hearts  purified  by  affliction,  then  this 
sad  providence  will  have  accomplished  its  salutary  purpose. 

The  heart  that  so  lately  throbbed  with  patriotic  ardor 
is  still.  The  lips  that  so  lately  moved  in  pra\er  iux  God's 
blessing  on  countrx',  church,  and  home  are  mute;  but  be 
it  ours  to  keep  alive  the  sacred  flame  and  to  prolong  the 
prayer  that  Heaven's  best  benediction  may  rest  on  this 
confederated  empire  of  imperial  States;  on  its  Chief  Magis- 
trate and  all  associated  with  him  in  the  responsibilities  of 
office;  upon  the  houses  of  State  and  national  legislation; 
upon  all  our  citizens  in  their  homes;  upon  all  the  people 
of  this  great  land  from  North  to  South  and  from  East 
to  West,  that  all  may  learn  more  and  more  to  cherish  the 
relations  wiiich   unite  them  as  children  of  one   Father  and 


Proceedi)igs  in  the  Senate.  17 

as  citizens  of  one  conntry;  that  freedom  fonnded  on  justice 
and  guarded  by  constitutional  law,  witli  religion  pure  and 
undefiled  permeating  all,  may  secure  to  us  a  perpetual  her- 
itage of  harmony,  prosperity,  and  peace;  and  to  God,  most 
high,  will  we  ascribe,  as  is  most  due,  all  honor  and  glory 
evermore.      Amen. 

And  now,  as   tlie   closing  exercise  in  this  service,  I  will 
read  the  following  h\-mn  : 


THY    WILL    BE    DONE. 


My  God  and  Father,  while  I  stray 
Far  from  my  liome,  on  life's  rough  way, 
O  teach  me  from  my  heart  to  say, 
Thy  will  be  done ! 

Let  Init  my  fainting  heart  be  blest 
With  Thy  sweet  .Spirit  for  its  guest. 
My  Liod,  to  Thee  I  leave  the  rest; 
Thy  will  be  done! 

Renew  my  will  from  day  to  day; 
Blend  it  with  Thine;   and  take  away 
All  that  now  makes  it  hard  to  say. 
Thy  will  be  done  ! 

-    Then,  when  on  earth  I  breathe  no  more. 
The  prayer,  oft  mixed  with  tears  before, 
I'll  sing  upon  a  happier  shore. 
Thy  will  be  done  I 

The  benediction  was  pronounced  by  the  Chaplain  of  the 
Senate. 

The  Vice-President.  The  committee  of  arrangements, 
conducted  b}-  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  of  the  Senate,  will  es- 
cort the  remains  of  the  deceased  Senator  from  the  Cham- 
ber to  the  depot  of  the  Richmond  and  Danville  Railroad, 
and  from  thence  to  the  place  of  burial  in  the  State  of 
North  Carolina  ;  and  after  they  have  left  the  Chamber  the 
S  Mis  151 2 


1 8  Proceedings  in  the  Senate. 

guests  of  the  Senate  will  depart  in  the  reverse  order  of 
their  entrance. 

The  casket  was  borne  from  the  Chamber,  attended  by  the 
Sergeant-at-Arms,  the  honorary  pallbearers,  the  committee 
of  arrangements,  and  the  family  of  the  deceased  Senator. 

The  invited  guests  having  retired  from  the  Chamber, 

Mr.  Ransom.  Mr.  President,  as  a  further  mark  of  respect 
to  the  memory  of  my  deceased  colleague,  I  mo\e  that  the 
Senate  do  now  adjourn. 

The  motion  was  agreed  to;  and  the  Senate  adjourned 
until  Tuesday,  April  17,  1894,  at  12  o'clock  m. 


MEMORIAL  ADDRESSES. 

January  19,  1895. 
Air.  Ransom.   Mr.  President,  I  ask  leave  to  submit   for 
adoption  the  resolutions  which  I  send  to  the  desk. 

The  President  pro  tempore.  The  resolutions  will  be 
read. 

The  Secretary  read  the  resolutions,  and  they  were  con- 
sidered bv  unanimous  consent,  and  unanimously  agreed  to; 
as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  the  Senate  has  heard  with  profound  sorrow  of  the  death  of 
Hon.  Zebulon  B.  Vance,  late  a  Senator  from  the  State  of  North  Carohna. 

Resolved,  That  as  a  mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased  the  busi- 
ness of  the  Senate  be  now  suspended  to  enalile  his  associates  to  pay  proper 
tribute  to  his  high  character  and  distinguished  puljlic  services. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  communicate  these  resolutions  to  the  House  of 
Representatives. 

19 


20         Address  of  Mr.  Raiisoui  of  Xortli  Carolina. 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  Ransom. 

Mr.  President:  The  Senate  is  asked  to  render  its  last 
duties  of  honor  and  sorrow  to  the  memory  of  the  Hon.  Zeb- 
ULON  B.\iRD  Vance,  late  a  Senator  from  Xorth  Carolina. 

In  this  Chamber  on  the  i6th  of  last  April,  two  days 
after  his  death,  the  Senate  lighted  its  black  torches  around 
the  lifeless  form  of  that  most  honored  and  beloved  son  of 
our  State,  and  his  mortal  figure,  covered  with  the  white 
flowers  of  spring  and  love,  and  hallowed  by  the  sacred 
devotions  of  religion,  passed  amid  tears  like  a  shadow  from 
these  portals  forever.  To-day  his  associates  on  this  floor 
are  here  to  place  on  the  ever-living  annals  of  the  Sen- 
ate the  record  of  their  admiration  and  affection  for  his 
virtues. 

I  take  this  summary  from  the  Congressional  Directory: 

Zeisi'lun  B.  V.\nce,  of  Charlotte,  was  born  in  Buncombe  County,  N.  C,  May 
13,  1830  ;  was  educated  at  Washington  College,  Tennessee,  and  at  the  University 
of  North  Carolina;  studied  law;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  January,  1852,  and 
was  elected  county  attorney  for  Buncombe  County  the  same  year;  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  State  house  of  commons  in  1-854 ;  was  a  Representative  from  North 
Carolina  in  the  Thirty-tifth  and  Thirty-sixth  Congresses;  entered  the  Confederate 
armv  as  captain  in  May,  1861,  and  was  made  colonel  in  .\ugust,  1861;  was 
elected  governor  of  North  Carolina  in  August,  1862,  and  reelected  in  August, 
1S64;  was  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate  in  November,  1870,  but  was 
refu.^ed  admission,  and  resigned  in  January,  1872;  was  elected  governor  of  North 
Carolina  for  the  third  lime  in  1876;  and  in  January,  1S78,  was  elected  to  the 
United  States  Senate;  was  reelected  in  1885,  was  again  reelected  in  1S91.  and 
died  at  his  residence  in  Washington.  April  14,  1894. 

His  paternal  and  maternal  ancestors  both  were  Revolu- 
tionarv  patriots.  I  have  often  passed  the  spot  where  he 
was  born.     The  "Vance  homestead"   was  a  large  frame 


Life  and  Chaiaclcr  oj  Zcbiiloii  Baird  Vance.  21 

building  of  the  "olden  time,"  with  broad  stone  chimneys, 
indicative  of  comfort  and  hospitality.  It  stood  near  the 
French  Broad  River  and  in  the  midst  of  the  Blue  Ridge 
Mountains.  Now  the  house  has  been  taken  down  and 
only  a  few  stones  remain  to  mark  the  site  where  it  once 
was.  It  is  a  place  of  beauty.  In  front  of  it  the  river  is 
smooth  and  placid  as  a  lake;  above  and  below  it  dashes 
and  roars  into  a  mountain  torrent,  and  you  almost  hear  the 
echoes  of  the  ocean.  Around  it  the  great  mountains  tower 
like  giants,  and  their  dark  forests  are  mirrored  in  the  deep 
blue  bosom  of  the  stream.  On  this  scene,  amid  sublimity 
and  beaut\-,  \'an'CE  first  beheld  the  light  of  heaven.  From 
this  beautiful  river,  from  these  sublime  mountains,  from 
neighboring  scenes,  all  bristling  with  heroic  and  patriotic 
recollections,  he  received  his  first  impressions.  These  were 
the  books  from  which  he  learned  the  lessons  that  were  to 
be  the  foundations  of  his  illustrious  career.  He  was  the 
son  of  the  mountains,  and  I  rareh'  looked  on  him  without 
being  reminded  of  them. 

I  know  but  little  of  his  boyhood,  but  if  the  Senate  will 
pardon  me  I  will  speak  of  an  incident  that  illustrates  his 
character.  In  the  canvass  of  1872  I  was  with  Governor 
V.AXCE  in  the  mountain  counties  of  our  State.  Passing 
from  Asheville  over  the  mountain  to  Burnsville,  we  made 
a  short  stop  at  the  home  of  Nehemiah  Blackstock,  not 
far  from  Ivy  Creek.  Squire  Blackstock  was  nearly  eighty 
years  of  age  and  his  good  wife  was  but  little  younger.  He 
had  been  the  surveyor  of  Buncombe  County  for  more  than 
forty  years.  I  shall  never  forget  the  meeting  of  Governor 
Vaxce  and  that  venerable  couple.  They  fell  on  each 
other's  necks — they  embraced  and  wept.     They  had  not 


22         Address  of  Mr.  Raiisoin  of  Xorth  Carolina. 

met  for  years  before.  The  conversation  was  short,  not  a 
half  honr  long,  and  consisted  mainly  of  reminiscences. 
Vance,  when  a  boy,  had  lived  with  the  old  people  and 
attended  a  country  school  close  by.  Mrs.  Blackstock,  beam- 
ing with  joy,  asked  him  if  he  remembered  the  scenes  of 
his  schoolboy  days  and  vividly  depicted  his  wild,  way- 
ward mischief,  his  frolics,  his  pranks,  his  plays  with  the 
girls,  his  wrongs  to  the  boys,  his  visits  to  the  orchards, 
his  raids  upon  the  watermelons,  his  practical  jokes,  his 
offenses  to  the  teacher,  and  many  similar  aberrations. 

When  old  Mr.  Blackstock,  with  a  benignant  smile,  said, 
"Well,  you  may  say  what  you  will  about  Zee;  he  was 
a  mighty  bad  boy  and  hard  to  control,  but  he  had  one 
redeeming  quality  that  made  up  for  all  his  faults.  Zrb 
would  tell  the  truth.  When  you  missed  your  eggs  that 
you  wanted  so  much  for  the  preacher,  and  were  so  mad 
that  the}'  were  gone,  and  all  the  boys  denied  everything 
about  them,  Zeb  came  up  like  a  man  and  told  that  he  took 
them,  but  he  would  not  tell  who  helped  him  eat  them. 
He  would  always  tell  the  truth" — then  I  knew  that  from 
his  boyhood  on  truth  had  been  Vance's  star;  and  what  a 
star! 

At  the  university  Vance  remained  two  years,  and  pur- 
sued a  selected  course  of  studies,  and  soon  made  a  name  for 
genius,  wit,  and  oratory.  He  was  an  especial  favorite  of 
President  Swain,  who  for  so  man}'  years  had  exerted  a 
powerful  influence  in  elevating  and  directing  the  youth 
of  the  South  and  made  all  of  us  who  came  under  it  better 
citizens  and  better  men.  Young  V.vnce  was  extremely 
popular  with  the  students  and  also  with  the  people  of  the 
village  of  Chapel  Hill.     Even  then  reports  came  from  the 


Life  and  Character  of  Zehulon   Baird  I  'aucc.  23 

university  of  his  brilliant  wit,  his  striking  originalit\-,  and 
his  high  promise. 

He  served  one  session  in  the  State  legislature,  and  there 
gave  unmistakable  earnest  of  the  illustrious  life  before 
him. 

He  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  the 
Thirty-fifth  and  Thirty-sixth  Congresses  and  took  distin- 
guished position  in  that  assembly,  which  has  been  the  lists 
of  so  many  statesmen.  In  1861,  upon  the  adjournment  of 
Congress,  he  returned  home,  and,  seeing  that  war  was 
inevitable,  raised  a  company  of  volunteers,  marched  to  Vir- 
ginia, and  was  soon  after  elected  colonel  of  the  Twenty- 
sixth  Regiment  of  Xorth  Carolina  Infantry,  a  regiment 
justly  distinguished  for  the  largest  loss  of  killed  aiid 
wounded  at  Gettysburg. 

He  had  always  been  opposed  to  the  secession  of  the 
Southern  States;  did  everything  possible  to  avert  it,  and 
was  oue  of  the  very  last  Southern  men  to  declare  his  love 
and  devotion  to  the  Union. 

In  the  battle  of  Newbern,  N.  C. ,  in  1S62,  Colonel 
V.\N'CE  was  conspicuous  for  courage  and  coolness,  and 
recei\-ed  the  highest  commendation  for  his  soldierly  con- 
duct on  that  field.  In  August  of  that  year  he  was  elected 
governor  of  the  State,  and  received  the  almost  unanimous 
vote  of  the  soldiers.  In  1864  he  was  reelected  governor  by 
a  very  large  majority,  and  held  the  executive  office  until 
the  occupation  of  Raleigh  by  General  Sherman  in  April, 
1865. 

As  the  executive  of  North  Carolina  his  administration 
was  signally  distinguished  b\-  great  ability,  vigor,  and 
energy,  by  ardent  and  constant  fidelity  to  the  Southern 


24  Address  of  Mr.  Ransom  of  North  Carolina. 

cause,  and  bv  wise  foresight  and  prudent  husbandry  of  all 
the  resources  of  the  State.  He  was  in  every  sense  gov- 
ernor of  the  State.  From  the  day  on  which  he  entered 
upon  the  duties  of  the  office  until  the  hour  when  he  laid 
it  down  his  commanding  genius  asserted  his  competence 
for  the  great  responsibilities  of  the  position,  and  his  admin- 
istration deserved  and  received  the  unbounded  confidence, 
support,  and  approbation  of  all  the  patriotic  people  of 
North  Carolina.  He  called  to  his  councils  the  wisest,  the 
best,  the  most  trusted  men  in  the  State  of  all  shades  of 
patriotic  sentiment.  He  inspired  the  people  with  renewed 
love  for  the  struggle,  he  united  the  discordant  elements 
among  us,  he  animated  the  despondent,  he  tolerated  the 
conscientious  lovers  of  peace,  he  rebuked  the  timid,  he 
brought  back  to  life  the  spirit  of  our  Revolutionary  patriots. 
He  gave  new  hope  to  the  arni>-,  he  aroused  the  pride  of  the 
State,  he  strengthened  all  its  means,  and  prepared  for  war 
to  the  end.  Well  may  he  have  been  designated  as  the 
"ereat  war  governor  of  the  South." 

Three  acts  of  his  administration  are  justl\-  entitled  to  be 
ranked  as  historic. 

First.  The  organization  of  a  fleet  of  vessels  to  sail  from 
Wilmington,  N.  C,  to  Europe  with  cargoes  of  cotton  and 
return  with  supplies  for  the  soldiers  and  essential  necessa- 
ries for  the  people.  This  supreme  enterprise  was  eminently 
successful.  For  months  and  years  the  Advance  and  other 
vessels,  commanded  by  skillful  officers,  well  manned,  and 
adequately  equipped,  went  like  sea  birds  across  the  ocean 
to  Europe  laden  with  the  great  staples  of  the  South,  and 
returning  with  stores  of  the  needed  supplies,  triumphantly 
eluded    the    blockading   squadron    and    sailed  with    colors 


Life  and  Cliaractcr  of  Zcbtilon  Baird  I  'aiice.  25 

flying  up  the  Cape  Fear  to  Wilmington.  The  soldiers  were 
clothed  and  fed ;  cards  and  spinning  wheels,  sewing  and  knit- 
ting needles,  were  furnished  to  our  noble  women ;  machinery 
for  looms,  surgical  instruments,  medicines,  books,  and  seeds 
were  all  brought  home  to  a  suffering  people.  The  history 
of  the  war  does  not  j^resent  an  example  of  greater  wisdom 
and  success. 

Second.  In  1864  and  1865,  when  the  resources  of  the 
South  were  absolutely  exhausted;  when  our  noble  armies 
were  reduced  and  hemmed  in  on  every  side,  ragged, 
hungry,  and  almost  without  ammunition;  when  starva- 
tion and  famine  confronted  every  threshold  in  the  South 
and  a  morsel  of  bread  was  the  daily  subsistence  of  a 
family;  in  that  dark  and  dreadful  hour  Governor  Vance 
first  appealed  to  the  government  at  Richmond,  and  find- 
ing it  perfectly  helpless  to  give  any  relief  sunnnoned  his 
council  of  State  and  by  almost  superhuman  efforts  pre- 
vailed upon  the  destitute  people  of  North  Carolina  to 
divide  their  last  meal  and  their  pitiful  clothing  with  the 
suffering  Union  prisoners  at  Salisbury.  Humanity,  Chiv- 
alry, Piety,  I  invoke  from  you  a  purer,  better,  holier  example 
of  Christian  charity  in  war! 

Third.  During  his  administration  as  governor  in  North 
Carolina,  although  war  was  flagrant,  though  camps  covered 
the  fields,  though  soldiers  were  conscripted  by  thousands, 
though  cold-hearted  men  of  ample  means  refused  supplies 
to  soldiers  with  bleeding  feet,  though  the  whole  militia  was 
armed,  though  thousands  of  deserters,  refugees  from  duty, 
v/ere  arrested,  though  the  war  department  daily  called  for 
more  men,  though  every  art  and  artifice  and  device  was  prac- 
ticed to  keep  the  soldiers  from  the  field,  though  spies  and 


26         Address  of  A/r.  Ransom  of  Xor/h  Carolina. 

traitors  were  detected  and  seized,  though  traders  in  contra- 
band of  war  were  constantly  caught  flagrante  delicto  and 
captured,  though  in  all  countries  in  time  of  war  civil  au- 
thority has  been  compelled  to  submit  to  military  necessity 
and  power,  yet  in  North  Carolina  during  the  war  the  writ 
of  habeas  corpus,  the  great  writ  of  liberty,  was  never  for 
one  moment  suspended.  Immortal  history  !  Worthy  of 
Mecklenburg  and  the  20th  of  May,  1775. 

In  1876  Governor  Vance  was  for  the  third  time  elected 
governor  of  the  State,  and  his  administration  was  the  be- 
ginning of  a  new  era  for  North  Carolina.  During  this 
administration  the  fraudulent  bonds  issued  by  a  reconstruc- 
tion legislature  were  made  null  and  void  b)-  constitutional 
amendment.  The  debt  of  the  State  was  adjusted  on  terms 
of  equity  and  justice.  Important  railroad  enterprises  were 
revived  and  new  internal  improvements  organized  and 
begun.  The  public  schools  were  extended,  enlarged,  and 
improved.  Education  was  provided  for  the  colored  people; 
asylums  for  their  insane,  their  deaf,  dumb,  and  blind  were 
established.     A  great  duty  nobly  performed! 

It  was  at  this  period  that  the  legislature  established  the 
county  of  Vance  and  named  it  in  honor  of  him,  which  fact 
contributed  largely  to  the  popularity-  of  the  measure  cre- 
ating the  county. 

In  1878  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate,  and  initil  he  died 
remained  a  member  of  this  body,  having  been  elected  four 
times  a  Senator.  His  record  in  the  Senate  is  part  of  the 
nation's  history.  From  the  beginning  he  was  an  active, 
earnest  debater,  a  constant,  faithful  worker,  a  dutiful,  de- 
voted Senator,  aspiring  and  laboring  for  the  welfare  and 
honor  of  the  whole  country.     He  was  at  all  times  on  the 


Life  and  Character  of  Zchuloii  Baird  I  'atice.  27 

important  committees  of  the  body,  and  took  a  prominent 
part  in  the  discnssion  of  almost  every  leading  question. 
He  was  the  unceasing  advocate  of  revenue  reform,  uncom- 
promisingly opposed  to  civil  service,  and  the  ardent  friend 
Df  silver  money  and  its  free  coinage  by  the  Government. 
He  vigilantly  defended  the  rights,  honor,  and  interests  of 
the  Southern  States,  not  from  sectional  passion  or  preju- 
dice, but  because  it  was  his  duty  as  a  patriot  to  every  State 
and  to  the  Union.  He  was  bold,  brave,  open,  candid, 
and  without  reser\-e.  He  desired  all  the  world  to  know 
his  opinions  and  positions  and  never  hesitated  to  avow 
them. 

His  heart  every  moment  was  in  North  Carolina.  His 
devotion  to  the  State  and  people  was  unbounded;  his  solici- 
tude for  her  welfare,  his  deep  anxiety  in  all  that  concerned 
her,  and  his  ever  readiness  to  make  every  sacrifice  in  her 
behalf  was  daily  manifested  in  all  his  words  and  actions. 
Senator  V.\nce  was  an  uncommon  orator.  He  spoke  with 
great  power.  His  style  was  brief,  clear,  and  strong.  His 
statements  were  accurate  and  definite,  his  arguments  com- 
pact and  forcible,  his  illustrations  unsurpassed  in  their 
fitness.  His  wit  and  humor  were  the  ever-waiting  and 
ready  handmaids  to  his  reasoning,  and  always  subordinated 
to  the  higher  purpose  of  his  speech.  They  were  torch- 
bearers,  ever  bringing  fresh  light.  He  always  instructed, 
always  interested,  always  entertained,  and  never  wearied 
or  fatigued  an  audience,'  and  knew  when  to  conclude. 
The  Senate  always  heard  him  with  pleasure,  and  the 
occupants  of  the  galleries  hung  upon  his  lips,  and  with 
bended  bodies  and  outstretched  necks  would  catch  his  every 
word  as  it  fell. 


28  .-itM/Tss  of  Mr.  Ransom  of  North  Carolina. 

He  rarely  if  ever  spoke  witliout  bringing  down  applause. 
His  wit  was  as  inexhaustible  as  it  was  exquisite.  His 
humor  was  overflowing,  fresh,  sparkling  like  bubbling  drops 
of  wine  in  a  goblet;  but  he  husbanded  these  rare  resources 
of  speech  with  admirable  skill,  and  never  displayed  them 
for  ostentation.  They  were  weapons  of  offense  and  de- 
fense, and  were  always  kept  sharp  and  bright  and  ready 
for  use.  He  was  master  of  irony  and  sarcasm,  but  there 
was  no  malice,  no  hatred  in  his  swift,  and  true  arrows. 
Mortal  wounds  were  often  given,  but  the  shafts  were  never 
poisoned.  It  was  the  strength  of  the  bow  and  the  skill  of 
the  archer  that  sent  the  steel  through  the  heart  of  its  vic- 
tim. But  strength,  force,  clearness,  brevity,  honest\'  of  con- 
viction, truth,  passion,  good  judgment,  were  the  qualities 
that  made  his  speech  powerful  and  effective. 

He  believed  what  he  said.  He  knew  it  was  true;  he  felt 
its  force  himself;  his  heart  was  in  his  words;  he  was  ready 
to  put  place,  honor,  life  itself,  upon  the  issue.  This  was 
the  secret  of  his  popularity,  fame,  and  success  as  a  speaker. 
He  studied  his  speeches  with  the  greatest  care,  deliberated, 
meditated  upon  them  constantly,  arranged  the  order  of  his 
topics  with  consummate  discretion,  introduced  authorities 
from  history,  and  very  often  from  sacred  history,  presented 
some  popular  faith  as  an  anchor  to  his  ship,  and  concluded 
with  a  sincere  appeal  to  the  patriotic  impulses  of  the 
people.  No  speaker  ever  resorted  to  the  bayonet  more 
frequentl}-. 

He  did  not  skirmish;  he  marched  into  the  liattle, 
charged  the  center  of  the  lines,  and  nex-er  failed  to  draw 
the  blood  of  the  enem\-.  Sometimes  he  was  supreme  in 
manner,    in  words,  in   thought,  in   pathos.      He   po.sse.ssed 


Life  and  Cliaractcr  of  Zcbuloii  Baird  I  'ance.  29 

tlie  tliuiiderbolts,  but,  like  Jove,  he  never  trifled  with  them; 
he  onh'  iu\-oked  them  when  gigantic  perils  confronted  his 
cause.  In  1876,  upon  his  third  nomination  for  gover- 
nor, speaking  to  an  immense  atidience  in  the  State-house 
Square  at  Raleigh,  he  held  up  both  hands  in  the  light 
of  the  sun  and  with  solenni  invocation  to  Almighty  God 
declared  that  they  were  white  and  stainless,  that  not  one 
cent  of  corrupt  money  had  ever  touched  their  palms.  The 
effect  was  electric;  the  statement  was  conviction  and  con- 
clusion. The  argument  was  unanswerable.  It  was  great 
nature's  action.      It  was  eloquence.      It  was  truth. 

Senator  VA^XE's  integrity  and  uprightness  in  public  and 
in  private  life  were  absolute;  they  were  unimpeached  and 
unimpeachable;  he  was  honest;  it  is  the  priceless  inheri- 
tance which  he  leaves  to  his  famil)-,  his  friends,  his  countrv. 
He  was  an  honest  man.  Calumn\'  fell  harmless  at  his  feet, 
the  light  dissipated  every  cloud  and  he  lived  continually 
in  its  broad  rays;  his  breastplate,  his  shield,  his  armor  was 
the  light,  the  truth.  There  was  no  darkness,  no  mystery, 
no  shadow  upon  his  bright  standard. 

Senators  will  all  remember  the  loss  of  his  eve  in  the  win- 
ter of  1889.  How  touching  it  was — a  sacrifice,  an  offering 
on  the  altar  of  his  country.  For  no  victim  was  ever 
more  tightly  bound  to  the  stake  than  he  was  to  his  duty 
here.  How  bravely,  how  patiently,  how  cheerfully,  how 
manfully  he  bore  the  dreadful  loss!  But  the  light,  the 
glorious  light  of  a  warm  heart,  a  noble  nature,  a  good  con- 
science, an  innocent  memory  was  never  obscured  to  him. 
It  was  to  him  a  great  bereavement,  but  it  was  another,  a 
more  sacred  tie  that  again  and  again  bound  his  country- 
men to  him. 


30         AcM/'css  t>f  Mr.  Ransom  of  North  Caro/iiia. 

In  his  lono;  and  tedions  illness  no  complaint,  no  innr- 
murs  escaped  his  calm  and  cheerful  lips.  He  was  com- 
posed, firm,  brave,  constant,  hopeful  to  the  last.  H'ls  love 
of  country  was  unabated,  his  friendships  unchanged,  his 
devotion  to  duty  unrelaxed.  His  philosophy  was  serene, 
his  brow  was  cloudless,  his  spirit,  his  temper,  his  great 
mind,  all  were  superior  to  his  sufferings. 

His  great  soul  illuminated  the  physical  wreck  and  ruin 
around  it  and  shone  out  with  clearer  luster  amid  disease 
and  decay.  Truly  he  was  a  most  wonderful  man.  His 
last  thoughts,  his  dying  words,  his  expiring  prayers  were 
for  his  country,  for  liberty  and  the  people.  A  great  patriot, 
a  noble  citizen,  a  good  man,  it  is  impossible  not  to  remem- 
ber, to  admire,  to  love  him. 

I  can  not  compare  Senator  Van'CE  with  Caesar,  Napo- 
leon, or  Washington.  I  can  not  place  him  at  the  side  of 
Webster,  Clay,  and  Calhoun.  I  do  not  measure  him  with 
Chatham  and  Gladstone.  He  was  not  a  philosopher  like 
Franklin,  he  was  not  an  orator  like  JMirabeau,  but  placed 
in  any  company  of  English  or  American  statesmen  he 
would  have  taken  high  position. 

He  had  not  the  wisdom  and  virtue  of  Macon;  he  was 
not  like  Badger,  a  master  of  argument;  he  was  not  like 
Graham,  a  model  of  dignity  and  learning;  he  had  not  the 
superb  speech  and  grand  passion  of  Mangum;  he  wanted 
the  tenacious  and  inexorable  logic  of  Bragg;  but  in  all 
the  endowments,  qualities,  faculties,  and  attainments  tliat 
make  up  the  orator  and  the  statesman  he  was  the  equal  of 
either.  No  man  among  the  living  or  the  dead  has  ever 
so  possessed  and  held  the  hearts  of  North  Carolina's  peo- 
ple.    In  their  confidence,  their  affection,  their  dc\-otion,  and 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebu /on  Baird  I'ancc.  31 

their  gratitude  he  stood  miapproachable— without  a  peer. 
Wheu  he  spoke  to  them  they  listened  to  him  with  faith, 
with  admiration,  with  rapture  and  exultant  joy.  His  name 
was  ever  upon  their  lips.  His  pictures  were  in  almost 
every  household.  Their  children  by  hundreds  bore  his 
beloved  name,  and  his  words  of  wit  and  wisdom  were  re- 
peated by  every  tongue. 

What  Tell  was  to  Switzerland,  what  Bruce  was  to  Scot- 
land, what  William  of  Orange  was  to  Holland,  I  had  al- 
most said  what  ]\Ioses  was  to  Israel,  Vance  was  to  North 
Carolina.  I  can  give  you  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  deep, 
fervid,  exalted  sentiment  which  our  people  cherished  for 
their  greatest  tribune.  He  was  of  them.  He  was  one  of 
them.  He  was  with  them.  His  thoughts,  his  feelings,  his 
words  were  theirs.  He  was  their  shepherd,  their  champion, 
their  friend,  their  guide,  blood  of  their  blood,  great,  good, 
noble,  true,  human  like  they  were  in  all  respects,  no  bet- 
ter, but  wiser,  abler,  with  higher  knowledge  and  profounder 
learning. 

Nor  was  this  unsurpassed  devotion  unreasonable  or 
without  just  foundation.  For  more  than  the  third  of  a 
century,  for  upward  of  thirty  years,  in  peace  and  in  war, 
in  prosperity  and  in  adversity,  in  joy  and  in  sorrow,  he 
had  stood  by  them  like  a  brother — a  defender,  a  preserver, 
a  deliverer.  He  was  their  martyr  and  had  suffered  for 
their  acts.  He  was  their  shield  and  liad  protected  them 
from  evil  and  from  peril.  He  had  been  with  them — he 
had  been  with  them  and  their  sons  and  brothers  on  the 
march,  by  the  camp  fires,  in  the  burning  light  of  battle; 
beside  the  wounded  and  the  dying;  in  their  darkest  hours, 
amid   hunger    and    cold,    and    famine    and   pestilences,  his 


32  Address  of  Mr.  A',r//so///  of  Xortli  Carolina. 

watchful  care  had  brought  them  comfort  and  slielter  and 
protection.  They  remembered  the  gra\-  jackets,  the  warm 
blankets,  the  good  shoes,  the  timely  food,  the  blessed  med- 
icines, which  his  sympathy  and  provision  had  brought 
them.  In  defeat,  amid  tumult,  amid  ruin,  humiliation, 
and  the  loss  of  all  they  had,  he  had  been  their  adviser; 
he  had  guided  them  through  the  wilderness  of  their  woes 
and  brought  them  safely  back  to  their  rights  and  all 
their  hopes.  He  had  been  to  them  like  the  north  star  to 
the  storm-tossed  and  despairing  mariner.  He  had  been 
greater  than  Ulysses  to  the  Greeks.  He  had  preserved 
their  priceless  honor,  had  .saved  their  homes,  and  was 
the  defender  of  their  liberties.  He  was  their  benefactor. 
Every  object  around  them  reminded  them  of  his  care, 
every  memory  recalled,  every  thought  suggested,  his  use- 
fulness and  their  gratitude.  The  light  from  their  school- 
houses  spoke  of  his  services  to  their  education.  The  very 
sight  of  their  graves  brought  back  to  their  hearts  his  ten- 
der devotion  to  their  sons.  And  the  papers  and  the  wires 
with  the  rising  of  almost  every  sun  bore  to  their  pure 
bosoms  the  news  of  his  success,  his  triumphs,  and  his  hon- 
ors. They  were  proud  of  him;  the\-  admired  him — they 
loved  him.  These,  these  were  the  foundations,  the  solid 
foundations,  of  his  place  in  their  minds  and  in  their  hearts. 
From  the  wind-beaten  and  storm-bleached  capes  of  Hat- 
teras  to  the  dark  blue  mountain  tops  tliat  divide  North 
Carolina  and  Tennessee  there  is  not  a  spot  from  which  the 
name  of  V.-\N'CK  is  not  echoed  with  lionor  and  li)\c.  Hut 
his  inflnence  and  liis  fame  were  not  coufinal  witliin  vState 
lines. 

In   New    England    the,  sons   of   the   brave    Puritans  ad- 
mired his  love  of  liberty,  his  independence  of  thought,  his 


Life  and  C/iarnc/cr  of  Zehiilon  Baird  I  'ancc.  n 

freedom  of  speech,  his  couteiiipt  for  pretensions,  and  his 
abhorrence  of  deceit.  The  hardy  miners  in  the  far  West 
and  on  the  Pacific  hills  felt  his  friendship  and  were  grate- 
ful for  his  services.  Virginia  loved  him  as  the  vindicator 
of  her  imperiled  rights  and  honor.  From  the  farms  and 
fields  and  firesides  of  the  husbandmen  of  the  Republic 
there  came  to  him  the  greeting  of  friends,  for  he  was 
always  the  advocate  of  low  ta.xes  and  equal  rights  and 
privileges  to  all  men.  From  all  the  South  he  was  looked 
iipon  as  the  representative  of  their  sorrow  and  the  example 
of  their  honor;  and  all  over  the  civilized  world  the  people 
of  Israel — "the  scattered  nation" — every  where  bowed  with 
uncovered  heads  to  the  brave  man  who  had  rendered  his 
noble  testimony  and  a  tribute  to  the  virtues  of  their  race. 
Even  the  officers,  the  sentinels,  and  watchmen  over  him  in 
the  Old  Capitol  Prison,  in  which  he  was  confined  on  the 
alleged  and  wrongful  charge  that  he  had  violated  the  laws 
of  war,  were  spellbound  by  his  genial  spirit  and  became 
his  devoted  friends  up  to  the  hour  of  his  death.  His 
genius,  his  ability,  his  humanity,  his  long-continued  pub- 
lic service,  his  great  physical  suffering,  a  martyrdom  to  his 
duty,  the  sorcery  of  his  wit,  the  magic  of  his  humor,  and 
the  courage  of  his  convictions  had  attracted  the  universal 
sympathy  and  admiration  of  the  American  people. 

In  the  brief  summary  in  the  Directory  is  embraced  a 
great  life:  County  attorney,  member  of  the  State  house  of 
commons;  Representative  in  two  Congresses;  captain  and 
colonel  in  the  Southern  army;  three  times  elected  gov- 
ernor of  his  State,  and  four  times  elected  to  the  Senate 
of  the  United  States.  What  a  record  and  what  a  combi- 
nation! A  great  statesman,  a  good  soldier,  a  rare  scholar,  a 
.S  Mis  151 3 


34  Address  of  Mr.  Ransom  of  North  Carolina. 

successful  lawyer,  an  orator  of  surpassing  power  and  elo- 
quence, and  a  man  popular  and  beloved  as  few  men  have 
ever  been!  Great  in  peace  and  great  in  war,  equal  to  every 
fortune,  superior  to  adversity,  and,  greater  still,  superior  to 
prosoerity!  Successful  in  everything  which  he  attempted, 
eminent  in  every  field  in  which  he  appeared,  and  fitted  for 
every  effort  which  he  undertook ! 

He  was  master  of  political  science  and  distinguished  in 
scholarship  and  literature.  His  political  speeches  were 
models  of  popular  oratory  and  his  literary  addresses  were 
compositions  of  chaste  excellence.  He  wrote  an  electric 
editorial  and  drafted  a  legislative  bill  with  equal  clearness 
and  brevity.  His  pen  and  his  tongue  were  of  equal  qual- 
ity. He  used  both  with  equal  power.  He  wrote  much; 
he  spoke  more.  Everything  emanating  from  him  wore 
his  own  likeness.  He  borrowed  from  no  man.  He  imi- 
tated no  man  and  no  man  could  imitate  him.  He  was 
unique,  original,  wonderful,  incomprehensible  unless  he 
was  a  genius  with  faculties  and  powers  of  extraordinary 
and  exceptional  character. 

His  temper  was  admirable,  calm,  well  balanced,  serene. 
He  cared  less  for  trifles  than  any  man  I  ever  knew.  He 
brushed  them  away  as  a  lion  shakes  the  dust  from  his 
mane.  In  this  respect  he  was  a  giant.  He  was  like  Sam- 
son breaking  the  frail  withes  that  bound  his  limbs.  He 
was  never  confused,  rarely  impatient,  seldom  nervous,  and 
never  weak. 

He  was  merciful  in  the  extreme.  Suffering  touched  him 
to  the  quick.  He  was  compassion  itself  to  distress.  He 
was  as  tender  as  a  gentle  woman  to  the  young,  the  weak, 
the  feeble.     He  was  full  of  charity  to  all  men,  charitable 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebulon  Baird  I  'aiice.  35 

to  human  frailty  in  every  shape  and  form  and  phase.  He 
had  deep,  powerful  impulses,  strong  and  passionate  resent- 
ments; in  the  heat  of  conflict  he  was  inexorable,  but  his 
generosity,  his  magnanimity,  his  sense  of  justice  were 
deeper  and  stronger  and  better  than  the  few  passing  pas- 
sions of  his  proud  nature.  To  his  family  and  friends  he 
was  all  tenderness  and  indulgence.  His  great  heart  always 
beat  in  duty,  with  sympathy,  with  the  highest  chivalry  to 
woman. 

The  man  that  lays  his  hand  upon  a  woman. 
Save  in  the  way  of  kindness,  is  a  wretch, 
Whom  't  were  gross  flattery  to  name  a  coward, 

was  always  upon  his  lips. 

He  was  ambitious,  very  ambitious;  but  with  him  ambi- 
tion was  virtue.  He  aspired  to  be  great  that  he  might  be 
useful,  to  do  good,  to  improve  and  to  benefit  and  to  help 
mankind.  His  was  not  the  ambition  of  pride  and  of  arro- 
gance and  of  power.  It  was  the  ambition  of  benevolence 
and  philanthropy,  the  ambition  to  elevate,  to  lift  up,  to 
bless  humanity. 

From  early  manhood  he  had  possessed  a  respectable  com- 
petence. At  no  time  did  he  ever  suffer  penury.  He  hus- 
banded with  great  care  his  resources  and  was  prudent, 
frugal,  thoughtful  in  his  expenditures  ;  but  he  never  turned 
a  deaf  ear  to  pity  or  to  sorrow.  He  was  not  avaricious ; 
he  had  no  love  for  money  and  was  never  rich  in  gold,  sil- 
ver, and  precious  stones  or  lands,  but  he  was  opulent  in 
the  confidence  and  affections  of  the  people.  His  great 
wealth  was  invested  in  the  attachments,  the  friendships,  the 
faith,  the  devotions  of  his  fellow-men,  that  priceless  wealth 
of  love  of  the  heart — of  the  soul — which  no  money  can 
purchase. 


36  Ac/dress  of  Mr.  Ransom  of  Kortli  Carolina. 

In  many  respects  he  was  very  remarkable.  In  one  he 
was  singularly  so.  He  never  affected  superiority  to  human 
frailty.  He  claimed  no  immunity  from  our  imperfection. 
He  realized  that  all  of  us  were  subject  to  the  same  con- 
ditions, and  he  regarded  and  practiced  humility  as  a  car- 
dinal virtue  and  duty. 

Senator  V.\nce  was  happy  in  his  married  life.  In  his 
early  manhood  he  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet  Newell 
Esj^ey,  of  North  Carolina.  She  was  a  woman  of  high 
intellectual  endowments,  of  uncommon  moral  'force,  of 
exemplary  piety,  and  exercised  a  great  influence  for  good 
over  her  devoted  husband  which  lasted  during  his  life. 
Their  union  was  blessed  with  four  sons,  who  sur\'ived  their 
parents.  His  second  wife  was  Airs.  Florence  Steele  Mar- 
tin, of  Kentucky,  a  lady  of  brilliant  intellect,  of  rare  grace 
and  refinement,  who  adorned  his  life  and  shed  luster  and 
joy  on  his  home. 

All  during  the  fatal  malady  that  ended  his  life,  with 
sleepless  affection,  with  tireless  tenderness,  with  hoh-  duty, 
she  was  by  him  until  the  last  breath  came,  and  he  expired 
in  her  arms,  in  the  solace  of  her  love. 

He  loved  the  Bible  as  he  loved  no  other  book.  All  of 
his  reverence  was  for  his  God.  He  lived  a  patriot  and  a 
philanthropist  and  he  died  a  Christian.  This  is  the  sum  of 
duty  audjionor. 

He  has  gone.  His  massive  and  majestic  form,  his  full, 
flowing  white  locks,  his  playful,  twinkling  eye,  his  calm, 
homelike  face,  his  indescribable  voice,  have  left  us  fore\er. 
He  still  lives  in  our  hearts. 

The  great  Mirabeau  in  his  d>ing  moments  asked  for 
music   and    for    flowers   and    for   perfumes   to   cheer   and 


Life  and  Character  of  Zehulou  Baird  I 'a /ice.  37 

brighten  his  mortal  eclipse.  Vance  died  blessed  with  the 
fragrance  of  sweetest  affections,  consecrated  by  the  holiest 
love,  embalmed  in  the  tears  and  sorrows  of  a  noble  people. 
The  last  sonnds  that  struck  his  ear  were  the  echoes  of 
their  applanse  and  gratitude,  and  his  eyes  closed  with  the 
light  of  Christian  promise  beaming  upon  his  soul. 

On  the  night  of  the  i6th  of  April  last  we  took  his  cas- 
ket from  these  walls.  We  bore  it  across  the  Potomac — 
through  the  bosom  of  Virginia,  close  by  the  grave  of 
Washington,  almost  in  sight  of  the  tombs  of  Jefferson  and 
iMadison,  over  the  James,  over  the  North  and  the  South 
Roanoke,  over  the  unknown  border  line  of  the  sister 
States — to  the  sad  heart  of  his  mother  State.  The  night 
was  beautiful.  The  white  stars  shed  their  hallowed  radi- 
ance upon  earth  and  sky.  The  serenity  was  lovely.  The 
whole  heavens  almost  seemed  a  happy  reunion  of  the  con- 
stellations. With  the  first  light  of  daj-  the  people,  singly, 
in  groups,  in  companies,  in  crowds,  in  multitudes,  met 
us  everywhere  along  the  way — both  sexes — all  ages — all 
races — all  classes  and  conditions.  Their  sorrow  was  like 
the  gathering  clouds  in  morning,  ready  to  drop  every 
moment  in  showers. 

We  carried  him  to  the  Statehouse  in  Raleigh,  the  scene 
of  his  greatest  trials  aud  grandest  triumphs;  the  heart  of 
the  State  melted  over  her  dead  son.  Her  brightest  jewel 
had  been  taken  away!  We  left  Raleigh  in  the  evening, 
and  passing  over  the  Neuse,  over  the  Yadkin,  over  the 
Catawba,  up  to  the  summit  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  we  placed 
the  urn  with  its  noble  dust  on  the  brow  of  his  own  moun- 
tain, the  mountain  he  loved  so  well.  There  he  sleeps  in 
peace  and  honor.     On  that  exalted  spot  the  willow  and  the 


38  Address  of  Air.   Ransom  of  North   Carolina. 

cypress,  emblems  of  sorrow  and  mourning,  can  not  grow, 
but  the  bay  and  the  laurel,  the  trees  of  fame,  will  there 
flourish  and  bloom  in  perpetual  beauty  and  glory.  There 
will  his  great  spirit,  like  an  eternal  sentinel  of  liberty  and 
truth,  keep  watch  over  his  people. 

Senators,  I  feel  how  unable  I  have  been  to  perform  this 
sacred  duty.  It  would  have  been  one  of  the  supreme  jo}-s 
of  my  life  to  have  done  justice  to  the  life  and  character  of 
this  great  and  good  man,  to  have  enshrined  his  memory  in 
eloquence  like  his  own.  But  whatever  may  have  been  the 
faults  of  these  words,  I  have  spoken  from  a  heart  full  of 
sorrow  for  his  death  and  throbbing  with  admiration  and 
pride  for  his  virtues. 


Life  and  Character  of  Zelmlou   Baird  J'ance.         39 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  Morrill. 

Mr.  President:  Our  late  associate  here,  Senator  Vance, 
appears  to  have  been,  both  early  and  late,  a  prime  favorite 
of  North  Carolina.  He  was  born  there,  and  was  early 
made  an  heir  to  honorable  and  lifelong  fame.  The  same 
year  of  his  admission  to  the  bar,  at  the  early  age  of 
twenty-two,  he  was  elected  county  attorney.  Two  years 
later  he  was  elected  to  the  State  house  of  commons,  and 
then,  when  only  one  year  past  the  age  of  eligibility,  he 
was  promoted  to  the  United  States  House  of  Representa- 
tives, where  he  remained  a  member  from  1857  to  1861. 

Then,  starting  as  a  captain  in  the  military  line  of  the 
rebellion,  in  three  months  he  rose  to  the  rank  of  colonel. 
But  his  State  in  1862  more  needed  his  services  as  a  civil- 
ian, and  he  was  elected  at  the  age  of  thirty-two  governor 
of  the  State.  By  reelection  he  held  this  office  through 
all  the  stern  vicissitudes  of  the  rebellion.  While  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  Confederacy,  he  yet  had  some  State-rights 
differences  with  its  President,  but  they  were  amicably 
adjusted. 

Rarely  has  anv  man  so  young  been  intrusted  by  the  peo- 
ple of  a  great  State  and  in  a  great  crisis  with  the  foremost 
official  stations  within  their  gift. 
But  to  them  always — 

A  man  he  seems  of  cheerful  yesterdays 
And  confident  to-morrows — 

and  he  had  their  hearts. 


40  Address  of  Mr.  Morrill  of  I  'crnio)it. 

Largely  home  and  self  instructed,  finely  equipped  \vith  a 
full-chested  physique  and  resonant  voice,  and  with  a  genial 
overflow  of  mother  wit,  he  early  became  a  notable  orator 
in  all  political  campaigns;  but  it  was  his  close  touch  and 
familiarity  with  the  leading  topics  of  the  day,  his  fidelity 
to  his  convictions  of  duty,  as  well  as  respect  for  the  senti- 
ments of  his  people,  and  his  spotless  personal  reputation 
which  made  them  grapple  him  to  their  souls  "with  hooks 
of  steel."  To  whatever  station  called,  so  well  pleased 
were  his  people  that  with  one  accord  they  asked  to  have 
him  go  up  higher. 

When  he  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives in  1857  as  a  Whig,  with  South-American  proclivities, 
I  had  been  serving  there  first  as  a  Whig  with  Republican 
proclivities,  and  if  either  of  us  then  had  much  reverence 
for  the  Democratic  party  I  must  admit  it  was  prudenth- dis- 
sembled. Young  and  brimful  of  humor,  song,  and  story, 
he  was  highly  esteemed  by  the  members  of  all  parties  in 
the  House,  as  he  was  here.  In.  an  era  when  our  whole 
country  appeared  to  be  rumbling  with  invisible  earth- 
quakes and  hissing  with  the  oratorical  skyrockets  of  seces- 
sion he  served  for  four  years,  or  until  1.S61,  and,  so  far  as  I 
remember,  contributed  nothing  to  our  or  to  the  national 
"unpleasantness. ' ' 

During  his  Senatorial  service,  from  1S79,  of  fifteen  }cars 
he  was  not  a  frequent  debater,  except  on  tariff  and  revenue 
questions,  where  he  differed  radically  fi-om  such  ancient 
Whig  statesmen  as  Badger,  Manguin,  and  Stanly,  formerly 
representing  the  Old  North  State;  but  whenever  he  spoke 
he  had  no  lack  of  hearers,  and  they  were  often  rewarded 
by  the  originality  of  his  remarks  and  by  the  witticisms 


Life  and  Characto'  of  Zcbuloit  P>aird  I'aiice.  41 

interspersed,  redolent  of  his  native  Buncombe  Connty.  So 
long  as  health  permitted  he  was  a  regular  attendant  upon 
the  meetings  of  the  Senate  Finance  Committee,  of  which 
he  was  a  valuable  member. 

The  large  increase  in  the  number  of  the  members  in 
both  Houses  of  Congress  has  made  obituary  notices  of  such 
frequent  occurrence  that  I  fear  the  time  occupied  for  the 
brief  tributes  here  to  our  departed  fellow-members  is  some- 
times granted  with  reluctance.  I  feel  sure,  however,  that 
no  one  will  begrudge  the  hour  subtracted  from  legislative 
affairs  and  now  given  up  to  the  memory  of  the  most 
beloved  man  perhaps  of  his  State  associated  with  us  here 
for  many  years,  and  one,  however  widely  apart  politically 
from  some  of  us,  for  whom  every  Senator  here  to-day  is  a 
sincere  mourner. 

I  called  upon  him  toward  the  end  of  his  earthh-  career 
and  found  him  bearing  his  bodily  afflictions  with  cheerful 
fortitude. 

The  loss  to  his  State  will  be  great,  and  to  his  family 
incomputable.  Personally,  I  lament  here  to  say,  farewell, 
my  time-honored  friend! 


42  Address  of  Mr.   Sherman  of  Ohio. 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  Sherman. 

Mr.  President:  The  frequent  recurrence  of  scenes  like 
this,  when  the  Senate  pauses  in  its  important  duties  to  note 
the  death  of  one  of  its  members,  must  impress  us  with 
the  feeble  tenure  with  which  we  hold  both  life  and  public 
honor.  We  recall  our  departed  associate  with  kindness  and 
charity.  We  bury  in  his  grave  all  the  differences  of  opin- 
ion, all  party  or  sectional  contentions,  and  think  only  of  the 
good  he  has  done,  of  the  qualities  of  his  head  and  heart 
which  gained  our  affection  or  commanded  our  respect. 
It  is  in  this  spirit  I  wish  to  add  a  few  words  to  the  elo- 
quent eulogy  of  Governor  V.\nce  by  his  distinguished 
colleague. 

My  first  acquaintance  with  him  was  when  he  became  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Thirty-fifth 
Congress,  having  been  elected  to  fill  a  vacancy  caused  by 
the  election  of  Mr.  Clingman  to  the  Senate.  He  was  about 
twenty-eight  years  old,  large,  handsome,  and  of  pleasing 
address  and  manner.  He  called  himself  a  Whig — a  Henry 
Clay  Whig — and  supported  the  public  policy  of  that  emi- 
nent statesman.  In  this  we  were  in  hearty  sympathy.  We 
were  throvvu  frequently  into  kindly  association.  We  could 
agree  on  many  questions  of  public  policy,  but  we  could  not 
agree  on  the  sectional  question  then  arising  like  a  threaten- 
ing cloud  on  the  horizon.  We  were  born  in  different  lati- 
tudes, under  the  influence  of  different  institutions,  with  firm 
convictions  honestly  entertained  but  diametrically  opposite 
with  respect  to  the  institution  of  slavery. 


Life  and  Cltaractcr  of  Zcbulon  Baird  \  'ance.         43 

This  wide  difference  of  opinion  was  chiefly  sectional, 
and  therefore  more  dangerous.  This  institntion  was  a 
slumbering  volcano  anxiously  perceived  by  the  framers  of 
our  Constitution  and  carefully  dealt  with,  in  the  hope  that 
by  the  action  of  the  several  States  African  slavery  would 
be  gradually  abolished  as  inconsistent  with  our  free  insti- 
tutions. This  hope  was  delusive.  Slavery  at  different 
periods  of  our  history  threatened  our  National  Union,  but 
happily  this  contention  was  wisely  smothered  by  the  com- 
promises of  1820  and  1850,  though  it  only  needed  a  torch  to 
arouse  it  into  activity.  The  repeal  of  the  Missouri  com- 
promise in  1854  was  the  cause,  or,  as  some  say,  the  pretext, 
of  the  violent  destruction  of  parties  and  the  civil  war. 

Governor  Vance  entered  Congress,  in  1858,  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  American  party,  occupying  a  middle  position' 
between  the  Democratic  and  the  Republican  parties.  He 
did  not  rush  into  the  arena  of  debate,  but  his  personal  and 
social  qualities,  and  especially  his  wit  and  humor,  were 
well  known,  and  gained  him  many  friends.  After  a  month 
or  two  he  was  drawn  into  a  brief  casual  debate,  and  at  once 
was  recognized  as  a  young  man  of  marked  ability.  Later 
in  the  same  session  he  made  one  speech  defining  his  opin- 
ions on  the  leading  questions  of  the  day.  From  this  time 
his  ability  as  a  debater  was  conceded. 

In  the  memorable  Thirty-sixth  Congress  Governor 
Vance  took  a  more  active  part.  He  still  held  his  fellow- 
ship with  the  American  party,  but  that  party  melted  away 
under  the  influence  of  passing  events.  The  struggle  in 
Kansas,  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party,  the  break- 
ing up  of  the  Charleston  convention,  the  adoption  of  new 
dogmas   for  and   against   slavery — these   and    many  other 


44  Address  of  Mr.   Sherman  of  Ohio. 

exents  left  no  room  for  parties  except  on  sectional  lines, 
and  no  choice  of  policy  except  disunion  with  sla\'er\'  per- 
petuated, or  of  union  with  slavery  abolished.  I  criticise 
no  man  for  his  choice  in  that  conflict.  It  was  indeed  an  ir- 
repressible conflict,  the  seeds  of  which  were  planted  before 
our  Union  was  founded.  Governor  Vance  took  sides  with 
liis  people  and  I  with  mine.  The  result  was  in  the  dis- 
posal of  the  Almighty  Ruler  of  the  uni\erse,  who  doeth 
all  things  well.  I  believe  the  time  will  come,  if  it  has 
not  already  come,  when  the  North  and  the  South,  the  Con- 
federate and  the  Union  soldier,  and  their  descendants  in 
far  distant  generations,  will  thankfully  unite  in  piaise  to 
God  that  our  conflict  ended  with  a  restored  and  strength- 
ened Union. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  at  the  beginning  of  the  civil 
war  Governor  Vance  was  consi^icuous  at  home  as  well  as 
here  as  an  ardent,  outspoken  Union  man,  but  he  also  loved 
his  State  and  his  people,  among  whom  he  had  been  born 
and  bred,  and  when  they  were  swept  away  b\-  the  torrent 
of  opinion  in  the  belief  that  it  was  their  duty  to  secede 
from  the  Union  he  went  with  them.  The  question,  as  it 
presented  itself  to  his  mind,  was  whether  he  should  fight 
with  his  neighbors  or  against  them.  Of  his  decision  in 
such  a  choice  there  could  be  no  doubt.  As  a  soldier  and 
governor  of  North  Carolina  he  did  all  he  could  to  establish 
the  Southern  Confederacy,  but  when  the  events  of  the  war 
led  the  Confederate  authorities  to  trench  upon  what  he  con- 
sidered as  the  rights  of  his  people  he  firmly  insisted  upon 
preserving  those  rights. 

Some  years  after  the  war  closed  he  was  elected  to  a 
seat  in  this  body.      I  need  not  sa>-  to  Senators  that  in  the 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebiiloii  Baird  I  'ance.         45 

pertbrinance  of  his  public  duties  aud  iu  his  association  with 
his  fellow-Senators  he  was  always  a  pleasant  companion 
and  a  kind  and  indul.yent  friend.  He  carefully  attended  to 
public  duties,  took  his  full  share  in  the  debates,  and  con- 
tributed by  his  wisdom  and  counsel  to  many  important 
I^ublic  measures. 

The  life  of  a  man  and  a  nation  is  like  the  current  of  a 
river,  full  of  dangers,  at  times  calm  and  slow  and  then 
rapid  and  turbulent.  From  the  feeble  spring  of  infancy  to 
the  resting  place  in  the  ocean  or  the  grave,  there  are  nrany 
trials,  vicissitudes,  storms,  and  trouble,  as  well  as  peace- 
ful and  happy  moments.  Our  enjoyment  of  life  depends 
largely  upon  temperament.  The  obstructions  in  our  wa)- 
are  mountains  or  molehills,  according  to  the  disposition  of 
each  individual.  We  create  in  a  measure  our  own  sun- 
shine and  shadow.  It  has  always  seemed  to  me  that  the 
jDeculiar  characteristics  of  Governor  V.\XCE  were  his  happ)- 
temperament  and  hopeful  view  of  life.  He  carried  with 
him  wherever  he  went  cheerfulness  and  joy.  The  humor 
and  pathos  with  which  he  illustrated  an  argument,  the  sin- 
cerity and  moderation  of  his  opinions,  his  fidelity  to  his 
friends,  the  apparent  honesty  of  his  convictions — these 
were  the  attributes  of  our  departed  friend.  In  his  life 
among  us  in  the  Senate  he  was  cheerful,  kind,  and  consid- 
erate. He  left  no  enemies  here.  He  died  assured  of  the 
affection  or  his  family,  the  confidence  of  his  constituents, 
the  love  and  respect  and  honor  of  his  associates  in  the 
Senate. 


46  Address  of  Air.  Bate  of  Tennessee. 


Address  of  Mr.  Bate. 

Mr.  President:  Between  the  spurs  of  the  Blue  Ridge 
and  its  mountain-mother,  the  Alleghanies,  a  race  of  people 
from  the  Atlantic  shore — whose  lineage  was  Scotch-Irish 
and  English,  with  a  dash  of  Huguenot — had  cut  their  way 
through  a  wilderness,  with  ax  and  rifle,  and  the  Bible  as 
their  companion,  and  become  in  this  Piedmont  country 
lords  of  the  forest  and  field.  These  adventurous  pioneers, 
hardy  and  brave,  found  homes  in  this  intermountain  spot, 
and,  observant  of  social,  religious,  and  educational  advan- 
tages, soon  developed  into  the  finest  type  of  American 
manhood. 

It  was  there,  among  this  God-fearing  and  country  loving 
pioneer  people,  that  Zebulon  Baird  Vaa'CE  first  saw  the 
light  of  day.  It  was  there,  on  the  banks  of  the  French 
Broad  River — where,  in  their  westward  flow,  its  bright  and 
rapid  waters  leap  from  rock  to  rock,  as  a  silver  arrow  from 
the  bowstring;  there,  where  valley  and  mountain  and  bright 
waters  meet  and  mingle  within  the  same  scope  of  vision, 
presenting  scener\-  that  makes  romance  of  reality;  it  was 
there,  in  this  temple  of  nature,  among  plain  and  patriotic 
people,  unpretentious  and  true,  and  with  home  associations 
simple  and  .sympathetic,  gentle  and  genial,  that  Senator 
Vanx'E,  destined  to  become  a  factor  in  the  political  his- 
tory of  our  countr\-,  in  his  boyhood  and  manhood  caught 
those  true  and  manly  inspirations  that  guided  him  in  his 
noble  and  remarkable  career  throughout  his  useful  and  suc- 
ccssAil  life. 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebiihn  Baird  Vance.         47 

His  was  an  intellect  of  marked  capacity,  and  of  a  rare 
order  of  completeness,  pervaded  and  informed  by  all  those 
moral  perceptions  which  make  so  invariable  an  adjunct  to 
the  strongest  understanding.  His  perception  of  truth  was 
almost  an  instinct,  and  his  love  of  it  truly  conscientious. 
His  temper  was  admirable,  and  free  from  all  vanity  and 
jealousy.  He  was  a  cavalier  in  loftiness  of  thought  and 
action,  v/ithout  a  particle  of  cant  or  formality  or  pretense. 
He  was  a  genuine,  brave,  strong  man — a  thorough  gentle- 
man, who  inspired  the  fullest  confidence  and  the  most  cor- 
dial liking.  Whatever  display  he  made  was  in  truest  taste, 
simple,  easy,  and  natural,  without  the  tinsel  of  ambition  or 
eflFort.  He  had  the  power,  the  morals,  and  the  manners  of 
the  best  models  of  American  statesmen. 

His  advocacy  of  great  principles  and  useful  opinions  was 
often  expressed  in  this  Senate  with  boldness  of  view,  some- 
times with  severity  of  remark,  and  often  with  beauty  and 
vivacity  of  expression.  Many  of  the  highest  prizes  in  the 
lottery  of  political  life  came  within  his  grasp,  and  with 
the  vivifying  spirit  of  a  laudable  ambition  he  seized  them 
and  used  them  only  for  his  country,  his  State,  and  her 
people.  As  Representative,  governor,  and  Senator  his  in- 
tellect, zeal,  labor,  and  love  were  freely  expended  for  the 
honor,  glory,  and  welfare  of  North  Carolina  and  her 
people. 

There  is  a  country  accent — 

Says  a  philosopher^ 

not  in  speech  only,  but  in  thought,  conduct,  character,  and  manner,  which  never 
forsakes  a  man — 

and  never  was  that  remark  more  strikingly  illustrated  than 
in  the  late  Senator  Vanxe.     He  was  a  North  Carolinian 


48  Address  of  Mr.   Bate  of  Tennessee. 

"intus  et  in  cute;"  ever\-  peculiarit\'  of  her  people,  the 
very  idiosyncrasies  of  her  citizens,  were  discernible  in  his 
mental,  moral,  and  political  make-up.  But  every  step  of 
his  ascending-  honors  was  taken  with  an  e\e  sing-le  to  her 
protection,  defense,  honor,  and  safety.  Of  his  extraordi- 
nary aptitude  for  business  at  the  proper  time  and  in  the 
proper  way  I  need  onh'  recall  the  fact  that  as  governor  of 
Nortli  Carolina,  during  the  darkest  period  of  the  late  civil 
war,  and  when  a  depreciated  currency  had  unsettled  all 
values  and  disrupted  all  the  machinery  of  trade,  when 
commerce  was  blockaded  and  transportation  impeded,  he 
was  able  to  maintain  in  more  comfort  and  in  greater  effi- 
ciency the  Confederate  regiments  of  North  Carolina  than 
fell  to  the  lot  of  those  of  other  Southern  States. 

There  is  a  record  of  fifty-seven  regiments,  and  there  may 
be  more,  whose  clothing,  shoes,  hats,  blankets,  and  mus- 
kets were  furnished  and  (Ieli\-ered  through  his  tact,  perse- 
verance, and  energy.  And  those  regiments,  composed  of 
men  and  officers  from  "the  Old  North  State,"  attested  his 
wise  provision  for  their  efficiency  by  as  gallant  a  record  as 
was  made  by  any  troops  in  eitlier  army,  and  whose  valor 
our  deceased  friend  made  more  effective  by  his  wise  fore- 
sight and  care  for  their  health  and  comfort. 

( )ther  countries,  Mr.  President,  have  had  their  civil  wars, 
with  which  history  deals  according  to  the  prejudices  and 
politics  of  their  historians,  but  now  their  people  look  bach 
upon  the  past  without  animosit)-  to  either  party. 

France  had  her  great  rex'olution,  but  the  followers  of  the 
"crowned  soldier  of  democracy,"  whether  enlisted  from 
Parisian  Jacobins  or  Vendean  monarchists,  are  remembered 
to-day  only  as  the  brave  sons  of  P' ranee. 


Life  and  CJiaraclcr  of  Zebnloit  Baird  J'aiice.         49 

The  Roundhead  and  the  Cavalier  of  England,  whetlier 
in  the  ranks  of  Cromwell's  Ironsides  or  charging  with  rash 
Rupert,  are  to-day  bright  jewels  in  the  galaxy  of  England's 
gallant  sons. 

In  our  civil  war  citizens  of  the  same  Commonwealth 
were  impelled  by  that  first  and  supreme  necessity  that  is 
not  chosen  but  chooses — which  is  paramount  to  all  delib- 
eration and  admits  of  no'  discussion  and  demands  no  evi- 
dence. They  were  forced  into  conflict  by  the  operation  of 
principles  they  did  not  originate  and  by  circumstances 
over  which  they  had  no  control.  And  now,  since  both 
sides  from  their  respective  standpoints  believed  they  were 
in  the  right,  let  us,  on  occasions  like  this,  in  this  national 
forum,  common  in  representation  of  all  sections  and  all 
parties,  bring  wreaths  to  the  "bivouac  of  the  dead"  with- 
out stopping  to  discuss  the  resolutions  of  '98  or  the  condi- 
tions which  they  created,  or  the  wisdom  or  foil)'  which 
inspired  on  the  other  side  the  spirit  of  fanaticism.  Be  our 
politics  what  thev  may,  let  us  all  honor  the  brave  and 
heroic  sons  of  all  the  States,  as  models  and  exemplars  of 
American  character;  and,  since  " grim-visaged  war  has 
smoothed  his  wrinkled  front,"  let  us  honor  those  who 
were  heroes  in  the  strife  with  true  American  patriotism 
and  pride.  No  man  has  been  a  member  of  the  Senate  since 
the  war  who  was  more  consistent  in  that  respect,  more  will- 
ing to  remit  the  cause  and  conduct  of  the  war  to  the  ver- 
dict of  unbiased  and  truthful  histor)',  or  more  disposed  to 
treasure  the  memory  of  the  personal  heroism  of  all  Ameri- 
can soldiers,  than  our  late  associate. 

Mr.  President,  in  the  public  life  and  services  of  our 
deceased  friend  we  ha\e  " the  abstract  and  brief  chronicle" 
S  Mis  151 4 


50  Address  of  Mr.   Bate  of  Tennessee. 

of  politics  in  the  Southern  States  throughout  the  last 
thirty  }ears.  He  was  a  party  man  in  the  highest  meaning 
of  that  term;  true  and  faithful  to  the  Federal  Union  as  he 
understood  its  obligations — interpreting  the  powers,  limi- 
tations, and  restrictions  of  its  Constitution  by  the  light  of 
the  precepts  and  principles  of  its  framers,  and  with  intense 
convictions  that  any  wide  departure  from  those  canons  of 
construction  would  inevitably  lead  to  the  destruction  of 
our  form  of  Federal  Government.  He  felt  that  if  we  pnt 
out  the  light  of  the  fathers  we — 

Know  not  where  is  that  Promethean  heat 
That  can  its  flame  relume. 

His  advent  into  politics  was  amid  the  throes  and  convul- 
sions of  civil  war,  the  closing  exigencies  of  which  shaped 
in  our  Southland  the  political  course  of  Whigs  and  Demo- 
crats, with  the  stern  hand  of  inexorable  fate,  to  save  the 
very  form  and  substance  of  society  and  civilization.  But, 
notwithstanding  the  intense  strain  that  was  upon  him  in 
those  exciting  and  exacting  years,  he  was  at  no  time  a 
violent  or  uncandid  partisan,  and  never  nursed  those  exag- 
gerations or  that  unfairness  which  too  often  influence 
political  action;  nor  did  the  idea  of  personal  animosit}-  or 
ungenerous  feeling  toward  a  political  opponent  discolor  his 
public  life. 

Senator  Vance  was  a  man  of  such  irresistible  wit  and 
humor  that  I  may  apply  to  him  the  language  of  another, 
and  say:  "This  relieved  the  wear>-,  calmed  the  resentful, 
and  animated  the  drows}-;  this  drew  smiles  even  from  such 
as  were  the  object  of  it,  and  scattered  flowers  over  a  desert, 
and,  like  sunbeams  sparkling  on  a  lake,  gave  spirit  and 
vivacity   to  the  dullest  and  least  interesting  cause."     It 


Life  and  Character  of  Zcbuloii  Baird   J'ance.         51 

was  often  his  pleasure  to  illustrate  his  argiiments,  or 
enliven  his  conversation,  with  the  incidents  and  peculiari- 
ties of  life  in  North  Carolina;  and  his  laughter-creating 
anecdotes,  his  quaint  jokes,  and  funny  stories  will  long 
remain  in  our  memories  as  specimens  of  wit  and  humor, 
of  broad  and  striking  illustrations,  and  oftentimes  of  forci- 
ble argument,  but  always  devoid  of  the  sting  of  malice,  or 
the  point  which  wounded  personal  feeling.  To  a  keen 
facult}'  of  observation  he  added  a  swift  dexterity  of  appli- 
cation which,  with  the  sunny  current  of  his  humor  and 
free  and  joyful  sympathy,  made  him  a  truh"  robust  man,  in 
whom  the  harmonies  and  just  play  of  all  his  faculties 
imparted  a  kind  feeling  toward  all  men. 

Glad  light  from  within  ratliates  outward,  and  enlightens  and  embellishes. 

He  had  a  taking  way  on  the  hustings.  His  arguments 
consisted  in  a  plain  way  of  telling  simple  truths — illus- 
trated with  anecdotes  and  brightened  with  ready  wit.  In 
his  mode  of  speech  he  did  not  "beat  about  the  bush,"  but 
advanced  in  direct  line  to  the  citadel,  which  he  generally 
captured,  to  the  discomfort  of  his  adversaries.  His  easy, 
flowing,  natural  style  of  speech — ready  and  racy — ever 
gained  applause  from  his  people,  which  to  him  was  as 
sweet  incense  on  the  altar  of  patriotism.  Adulation,  how- 
ever, did  not  spoil  him — V.'^nce  was  too  big  a  man  for 
that.  As  a  strong,  broad,  and  well-rounded  man  he  re- 
ceived the  plaudits  of  the  multitude  -with  proper  grace, 
and  instead  of  "turning  his  head,"  they  were  incentives 
to  higher  emprise. 

The  ' '  bonhomie ' '  was  an  active  element  in  his  nature, 
and  always  kept  him  in  warmest  touch  with  his  Iriends 
and   often   drew  the   sting  from    his  enemies.      He  was  as 


52  Address  of  Mr.    Bate  of  Tennessee. 

much  the  einbodiinent  of  the  principles  of  Democracy  as 
any  man  who  has  taken  part  in  our  political  life  for  a  quar- 
ter of  a  century,  and  was  truly  a  Great  Commoner.  He 
never  seemed  more  in  his  element  than  when  engaged  in 
a  hot  political  canvass  before  his  North  Carolina  constit- 
uency, in  advocacy  of  their  rights  and  interests,  and  the 
hotter  and  more  stormy  the  canvass  the  better.  Indeed  he 
reveled  in  it,  and  was  as  much  at  home  amid  the  clashing 
elements  as  the  petrel  in  the  storm  ;  and  whenever  the 
fight  was  on  he  was  sure  to  be  a  factor,  and  in  at  the  death. 
But  to  him,  Mr.  President,  ever\-  political  storm  cloud  had 
its  bow  of  promise,  and  when  the  fury  abated  it  left  him 
in  a  serene  atmosphere,  well  poised  and  contemplative,  and 
ready  to  take  advantage  of  the  situation  for  the  good  of 
his  people  and  party;  and  withal,  he  never  sacrificed  his 
convictions  for  mere  temporary  success. 

He  was  for  the  whole  people,  and  .ser\-ed  tliem  faithfullj-. 
He  knew  no  faction  or  clique  and  invoked  no  artificial  aid, 
but  when  he  asked  office  he  went  directly  to  the  people 
and  drank  at  the  fountain.  His  strong  personality  warmed 
his  constituents  in  a  magnetic  way,  and  they  clung  unto 
him.  His  native  endowments  and  cultured  knowledge  of 
human  nature  kept  him  en  rapport  with  the  best  citizen- 
ship and  won  a  sense  of  superiority  without  exciting  jeal- 
ousy. Yet  there  was  nothing  in  his  nature  or  bearing  that 
was  not  in  accord  with  the  humblest,  and  while  he  was  easy 
and  familiar  with  all  classes,  that  familiarity  never  begot 
contempt,  but  inspired  a  genial  feeling  akin  to  brotiierhood. 

These  nalural  gifts,  these  persuasive  characteristics,  this 
graceful  ada])tability,  easily  made  him  a  hero  on  the  hust- 
ings, and  the  ballot  box  became  his  mascot.     His  practical 


Life  and  Character  of  Zclmlon  Baird  I  'ance.         53 

utterances  and  homely  >et  happy  illustrations  became 
household  words,  and  with  the  plain  people  he  was  Sir 
Oracle. 

For  more  than  thirty  years  "Zeb"  Vance,  as  he  was 
familiarly  called,  was  the  political  idol  of  the  people  of 
North  Carolina,  and  during  any  part  of  that  time  he  might 
have  truly  said  of  fhem,  "Sum  fui  pars."  He  rejoiced  at 
their  prosperity  and  mourned  their  misfortunes ;  in  their 
need  he  was  a  benefactor — in  adversity  their  bulwark  and 
strength.  Whatever  faults  he  had — and  who  has  them 
not? — were  open  and  bravely  avowed — soon  forgiven  and 
forgotten.  He  felt  that  he  owed  a  duty  to  his  country 
and  his  fellow-man,  and,  Mr.  President,  without  discount, 
he  paid  the  debt.  He  learned  and  loved  the  teachings  of 
the  Bible,  and  was  guided  by  his  faith.  His  cheerfulness 
brightened  his  social  relations ;  his  gentle  domesticity 
made  home  happy ;  his  sterling  virtues  inspired  respect 
and  confidence  while  they  imparted  usefulness. 

He  was  a  bon  vivant  without  dissipation  ;  his  hospitality 
was  to  him  a  luxury  and  to  his  guests  a  delight,  and  he,  in 
turn,  was  ".persona  grata"  in  every  household  in  the  Old 
North  State. 

Disease  and  misfortune  did  not  unman  him — and  he 
often  met  it  with  grim  humor.  The  loss  of  an  eye  a  few 
years  before  his  death  did  not  discourage  him,  or  abate  his 
efforts  to  serve  his  constituents.  Indeed,  while  sitting  here 
at  this  desk  next  me — we  were  desk  mates  for  the  last 
three  years — he,  in  a  vein  of  pleasant  humor,  just  before 
commencing  his  last  great  speech  in  this  Chamber,  allud- 
ing to  the  fact  of  having  lost  an  eye,  said  : 

Misfortunes  have  their  blessings,  for  surely  no  man  can  now  deny  that  I  have 
an  eye  single  to  the  interest  of  my  constituents. 


54  Address  of  Mr.   Bate  of  Tennessee. 

Disease  and  suffering  did  not  appall  him  or  drive  from 
him  hope  and  courage.  He  was  cheerful  and  sometimes 
facetious,  even  when  the  "sword  of  the  spirit  had  well- 
nigh  cut  through  the  scabbard  of  the  flesh."  He  died  at 
his  post,  and  with  dignity  and  calmness — '■ 

Wrapt  the  drapery  of  his  couch  about  him, 
And  lay  down  to  pleasant  dreams. 

t 

Upon  the  announcement  of  his  death  North  Carolina 
became  one  vast  "lodge  of  sorrow,"  in  which  every  heart 
was  mufiied,  and  its  sad  beat  was  responsive  to  the  melan- 
choly occasion.  His  biography,  truthfully  written,  will  be 
the  sweetest  aroma  in  the  urn  of  North  Carolina  history. 

You  may  break,  you  may  shatter  the  vase  if  you  will, 
But  the  scent  of  the  roses  will  hang  round  it  still. 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebulon  Baird  I  ance.         55 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr,  Gray. 

Mr.  President:  The  man  whose  loss  we  mourn  to-day 
was  no  ordinary  man,  and  the  words  of  touching  eulogy 
to  which  we  ha\-e  listened  have  set  vibrating  chords  of 
sympathy  and  grief  in  a  manner  and  to  a  degree  not 
ordinary.  How  hard  is  it  for  each  of  us,  even  after  this 
interval  since  his  death,  to  realize  that  we  shall  see  his  face 

no  more. 

Senator  Vaxce  had  become,  more  than  is  usual,  a  part, 
an  almost  necessary  part,  it  seemed,  of  our  daily  life  here. 
In  him  the  humanities  were  so  active  and  so  abundant  that 
he  seemed  made  to  brighten  social  life  and  strengthen  the 

social  instinct. 

In  this  hour  of  sad  retrospect  his  kindness  of  heart,  his 
ready  and  responsive  sympathy,  his  catholicity  of  spirit, 
his  freedom  from  bigotry,  envy,  and  all  uncharitableness, 
are  the  qualities  upon  which  we  who  knew  and  loved  him 
fain  would  dwell  to  the  exclusion  of  those  attributes  of 
intellect  and  character  which  excited  our  admiration  and  so 
distinguished  his  public  career.  And  yet  the  "elements 
were  so  mixed  in  him"'— his  gentleness,  his  courage,  his 
mao-nanimitv,  his  robust  manhood,  his  humor,  and  his  re- 
markable  intellectual  gifts— that  it  is  hard  to  analyze  the 
man  or  consider  him  otherwise  than  he  was,  teres  atque 
rotundus. 

His  public  life  was  a  long  and  full  one.  It  covered  a 
period  replete  with  interest  to  his  State  and  country. 
Fearless  in  the  expression  of  his  mature  convictions,  he 


56  .rliMrrss  of  Mr.    Gray  of  Dela"a-arc. 

had  an  almost  iinequaled  power  of  impressing  them  on  the 
Senate  and  the  country. 

His  equipment  as  an  orator  was  strong  and  unique. 
Great  quickness  of  perception  was  united  to  great  facility 
and  felicity  of  speech.  His  mind  was  well  disciplined 
and  logical,  and  he  maintained  the  purpose  and  continuity 
of  his  argument  with  great  ability  and  skill.  But  it  was 
in  what  is  called  running  debate  that,  it  seemed  to  me, 
his  greatest  power  was  displayed.  The  quick  play  of  his 
intellectual  forces  here  made  him  preeminent.  Sarcasm, 
repartee,  humor,  were  all  at  instant  command.  Of  these 
weapons  he  had  always  a  quiver  full,  and  woe  to  the 
antagonist  who  carelessly  exposed  himself  to  them.  But 
this  ready  wit  never  left  scars  behind. 

He  never  made  a  brow  look  dark 
Nor  caused  a  tear  but  when  he  died. 

Like  lambent  lightning,  his  wit  was  softly  bright;  it 
illuminated,  but  did  not  burn. 

There  are  few  of  us  who  can  not  recall  the  delight 
occasioned  by  its  display,  and  how  story,  epigram,  and 
apt  illustration  lighted  up  many  a  tedious  discussion,  his 
clearness  of  mental  vision  making  many  a  crooked  path 
straight.  No  debate  was  dull  in  which  he  engaged,  and 
no  one  cared  to  leave  this  Chamber  when  \'ance  was  on 
the  floor. 

No  one  who  heard  the  long  debate  on  the  tariff  bill  of 
1890  will  ever  forget  the  part  wliich  was  taken  in  it  by 
Senator  Vance. 

As  a  member  of  the  Finance  Committee  of  this  body  he 
bore  in  large  measure  the  burden  of  that  memorable  dis- 
cussion. The  details  of  the  bill  were  thoroughh'  mastered 
by  him,  and  he  devoted  laborious  days  and  nights  to  the 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebiiloii  Baird  ]  'ance.         57 

study  of  tlie  complex  and  difficult  questions  invoh-ed  in  its 
consideration.  He  sacrificed  his  ease  and  comfort  to  the 
performance  of  his  duty,  and  his  uuremitting  devotion  to 
the  work  before  him  through  the  long  weeks  and  months 
of  that  spring  and  summer  cost  him  the  sight  of  an  eye 
and  greatly  impaired  his  naturally  strong  constitution. 

It  has  been  given  to  few  men  to  carve  for  themselves  so 
secure  a  niche  in  the  temple  of  their  country's  fame. 

Senator  Vance  was  thoroughly  in  touch  with  the  plain 
people,  as  Lincoln  loved  to  call  them.  He  understood 
them,  and  was  one  in  feelings  and  sympathy  with  them. 
He  loved  the  folklore  of  the  mountain  districts  of  his  own 
State,  and  dwelt  with  fond  jjleasure  on  the  home-bred 
traits  and  fireside  virtues  of  the  people  among  whom  he 
lived. 

And  right  royally  did  that  generous  people  return  his 
love. 

It  was  my  sad  privilege,  Mr.  President,  to  be  one  of  the 
committee  that  accompanied  his  remains  to  their  last  rest- 
ing place  in  the  State  he  loved  so  well,  and  I  was  witness 
to  the  spontaneous  expression  of  affectionate  regard  for  his 
memory. 

The  demonstration  was  confined  to  no  class  or  color. 
Wherever  we  went  rich  and  poor,  white  and  black,  alike 
seemed  in  their  grief  to  have  received  that  touch  of  nature 
which  makes  the  whole  world  kin. 

And  when  we  had  performed  the  last  melancholy  offices 
for  the  dead,  and  left  him  in  his  grave  on  the  moun- 
tain side,  amid  the  beautiful  scenery  of  the  French  Broad, 
we  felt  that  no  monumental  marble  would  be  necessary 
to  preserve  the  rich  heritage  of  the  name  and  fame  of 
Zebulon  B.  Vance  to  his  State  and  country. 


58  Address  of  Mr.  Blackbitrii  of  Kentucky. 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  Blackburn. 

Mr.  PRE.SIDENT:  I  have  thought  that  it  might  be  better 
that  these  ceremonies  should  be  changed  and  that  what- 
ever was  to  be  said  of  the  dead  might  be  said  at  the  time 
when  the  announcement  of  the  death  was  made. 

If  I  had  taken  counsel  of  the  love  that  I  bore  this  man  I 
would  have  come  as  others  have,  with  a  carefullv  arranged 
and  prepared  eulogy  illustrating  his  virtues  and  his  merits. 
But  I  have  not.  However,  I  listened  to  the  address  deliv- 
ered by  his  surviving  colleague,  and  it  went  far  to  remove 
the  prejudice  that  I  hold  against  these  ceremonials,  for 
never  in  all  my  life  did  I  hear  the  virtues,  the  merits,  the 
worth  of  a  man  more  eloquently  portrayed,  more  fairly 
and  truthfull}-  put. 

I  can  not  agree  to  let  this  occasion  go  by  without  at- 
testing at  the  expense  of  the  time  of  the  Senate  for  one 
minute  the  appreciation  in  which  I  held  this  man  and  the 
love  that  I  cherished  for  him.  His  genial  nature  attracted 
ev-erybody.  There  was  a  sj^ecial  reason  for  me  to  know 
him  closely.  The  widow  whom  he  left  behind  him  is  a 
cherished  and  petted  daughter  of  my  State.  That  natur- 
ally drew  us  together.  I  knew  him  for  the  last  twenty 
years.  I  knew  liim  by  reputation  before.  Whether  as  sol- 
dier or  as  citizen,  as  member  of  the  other  House,  as  mem- 
ber of  this  Chamber,  or  as  governor  of  his  State  in  the 
stormiest  day  that  this  country  ever  knew,  he  loomed  up 
always  above  the  forms  of  tho.se  by  whom  he  was  sur- 
rounded.     He  was  known  as  tlie  great  war  governor  of  the 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebiiloii   Baird   J  'ancc.  59 

South,  and  ranked  side  by  side  with  the  great  Curtiii,  of 
Pennsylvania,  who  represented  the  loyalty  of  the  Union  at 
that  dark  hour. 

This  man's  character,  Mr.  President,  is  best  illustrated 
by  an  instance  with  which  I  became  acquainted  only 
within  the  last  week,  and  but  for  which  I  would  not  have 
asked  the  indulgence  of  the  Senate  to  attest  my  love  to  his 
memory.  The  General  Commanding  the  Armies  of  this 
country  told  me  less  than  a  week  ago  that  when  the  war 
ended  he  was  left  in  command  of  the  district  of  North 
Carolina.  He  received  an  order  peremptory  from  the  War 
Office  here  to  arrest  Governor  Vance,  to  capture  all  his 
papers  and  correspondence  and  send  them  to  the  War 
Department.  He  said  he  knew  full  well  that  Vance  was 
not  seeking  to  flee  the  country  or  avoid  arrest,  but  that  he 
sent  an  officer  up  to  his  mountain  home-  with  instructions 
to  capture  every  paper  that  belonged  to  his  official  or  his 
personal  correspondence  and  bring  them  there;  and  the 
officer  did. 

General  Schofield  sent  Governor  Vance  with  those  pa- 
pers and  records  here  to  the  then  Secretary  of  War.  We 
all  remember  that  that  was  Pennsylvania's  great  war  offi- 
cer, Stanton,  whom  some  people  thought  was  not  mild, 
whom  some  thought  was  even  savage;  but  who,  in  my 
judgment,  in  point  of  efficiency  and  ability  was  the  great- 
est war  minister  that  the  earth  has  known  since  the  days 
of  the  elder  Carnot  of  France.  General  Schofield  sent 
Governor  Vance  here,  and  among  those  records  he  sent 
the  book  which  contained  every  particle  of  correspond- 
ence that  Vance  had  ever  held  with  the  President  of  the 
dead  Confederacy.     All  was  open,  and  Stanton  e-xamined 


6o  Address  of  Mr.    JUackbiirii   of  Koitiickv- 

it  ail.  Wiieu  lie  did,  and  saw  wliat  tliis  man  had  done, 
how  persistent  his  efforts  liad  been  to  ameliorate  the  con- 
dition of  Federal  prisoners  and  to  assuage  the  horrors  of 
war,  this  great  Secretary  said  to  him,  "Upon  your  record 
you  stand  acquitted;  you  are  at  liberty  to  go  where  you 
will." 

Mr.  President,  may  not  we  who  knew  this  man  so  well 
and  loved  him  so  closely  indulge  the  hope  that  another, 
a  greater  Judge,  with  ampler  power,  whose  writs  run 
throughout  eternity  as  well  as  time,  after  examining  the 
record  of  a  life  spent  in  the  service  of  his  fellows,  reached 
the  same  conclusion  and  delivered  the  same  verdict  that 
Stanton  did,  and  told  our  dead  friend  that  "Upon  your 
record  you  stand  acquitted,  and  through  all  the  shining 
realms  of  Paradise  you  may  go  where  you  will." 


Life  and  Character  of  Zchiiioii   naini   I  ance. 


6i 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  George. 

Mr.  President:  I  willingly  comply  with  the  request  of 
the  senior  Senator  from  North  Carolina  [Mr.  R.a.nsom]  to 
take  part  in  these  memorial  services. 

My  personal  acquaintance  with  Senator  Vance  com- 
menced in  1881,  when  I  became  a  member  of  the  Senate. 
He  had  then  been  a  Senator  for  a  time  long  enough  to 
acquire  a  leadership  on  the  Democratic  side  of  this  Cham- 
ber—a  leadership  which  was  every  year  more  and  more 
distinctly  recognized  until  his  death. 

Fron:  the  very  first  I  was  attached  to  him,  not  more  by 
his  many  high  social  qualities  than  by  a  conviction  on  my 
part  of  his  great  value  as  a  statesman.  Our  association 
was  such  that  it  enables  me  to  say  with  pride  that  we 
were  friends.  His  powers  of  debate  were  remarkable  and 
in  many  respects  unrivaled.  He  possessed  sound  logic, 
which  enabled  him  to  solve  the  most  difficult  problems 
and  to  present  his  views  on  them  with  great  clearness  and 
force.  He  was  gifted  also  with  great  humor,  which  he 
used  in  debate  with  effectiveness  in  illustrating  his  argu- 
ment. He  used  his  great  powers  of  wit  and  humor  not 
as  mere  ornament  to  his  discourse,  but  always  as  a  sub- 
stantial aid  to  his  argument.  This  gift  was  always  made 
subordinate  to,  and  a  servant  of,  his  powers  of  reasoning. 
He  was  one  of  the  few  men  whom  I  have  known  who, 
being  possessed  of  brilliant  powers  to  please  and  attract 
by  wit,    humor,   and   anecdote,    never   succumbed    to   the 


62  Address  of  Mr.    George  of  Mississippi. 

temptation  to  be  amusing  and  agreeable  at  the  expense  of 
being  instructive. 

In  any  legislative  bod\-  in  the  world  he  would  have  been 
esteemed  great. 

The  moral  side  of  Senator  Vance  was  no  less  admirable. 
He  was  brave,  generous,  magnanimous,  humane,  tender, 
and,  above  all,  honest;  honest  not  only  in  his  actions,  but 
in  his  thoughts.  He  had  his  high  ideal  of  the  good,  and 
lived  up  to  it  without  deviation.  His  idea  of  honesty  did 
not  stop  at  fairness  in  dealings  with  others,  but  it  com- 
pelled an  adherence  to  fair  dealing  with  himself,  an  honest 
and  upright  purpose  in  the  ends  he  sought,  either  by  pri- 
vate enterprise  or  public  service.  He  had  an  ambition  to 
serve  in  public  life,  but  it  was  an  ambition  which  found 
gratification  only  in  rendering  great  public  service.  He 
loved  the  great  mass  of  his  countrymen;  he  sympathized 
in  their  struggles  and  in  their  aspirations.  His  ambition 
was  to  make  these  struggles  easier,  and  to  make  these  aspi- 
rations higher  and  nobler,  and  to  secure  to  them  as  the  end 
more  happiness  and  greater  advancement. 

In  an  age  where  the  occasional  demoralization  of  pub- 
lic men  had  cast  suspicion  upon  high  characters,  not  the 
slightest  taint  ever  rested  upon  him.  He  was  unspotted. 
He  went  through  the  fiery  ordeal  with  no  stain  upon  his 
garment.  He  had  that  high  devotion  to  the  people's  rights 
and  interests  that  he  could  not  view  public  measures  in  any 
other  aspect  than  as  to  their  effect  on  the  general  welfare. 
He  never  considered  them  with  reference  to  their  effect 
on  his  own  personal  or  ])olitical  fortunes  or  for  the  purpose 
of  advancing  the  interest  of  a  few  fa\'orites  of  fortune  or 
of  government. 


Life  and  Character  of  Zcbition  Baird  I  'aiicc.         63 

111  conclusion  I  feel  warranted  in  saying  that  the  sober 
verdict  of  history  will  assign  to  Senator  Vance  a  very 
high  place  in  the  first  class  of  American  statesmen,  and 
that  his  death,  at  that  stage  of  the  development  of  his  high 
powers  when  his  greatness  and  usefulness  were  recognized 
by  all,  came  too  soon  for  the  public  good,  and  was  a  great 
national  loss. 


64  Address  of  Mr.  Call  of  Florida. 


Address  of  Mr.  Call. 

Mr.  President:  I  served  in  the  Senate  during  the  en- 
tire term  of  service  of  the  departed  Senator,  and  I  sat  near 
him  and  in  his  immediate  presence  for  many  years.  I 
knew  him  well,  and  admired  him  for  his  excellent  fancy, 
his  infinite  wit  and  mirth,  which  staled  not,  neither  grew 
weary,  and  for  his  great  talents,  his  learning  and  accom- 
plishments, and  more  than  all  for  the  great,  noble  heart 
which  was  ever  full  of  love  and  sympathy  for  all  that  was 
good  and  beautifnl,  and  for  devotion  to  right  and  duty 
and  to  the  uplifting  of  the  people  into  a  brighter  and  hap- 
pier life.  The  common  saying,  "None  knew  him  but  to 
love  him,"  had  in  him  its  full  and  truthful  example  and 
illustration. 

I  leave  to  others  more  familiar  with  his  life  and  services 
in  his  own  State  the  record  of  his  life  there  and  the  story 
of  the  love  and  devotion  of  the  people  of  the  State  of 
North  Carolina  to  him  and  their  pride  in  his  talents,  his 
character,  and  his  great  and  varied  public  services,  and 
will  confine  my  observations  to  the  impression  he  made 
upon  the  Senate  in  debate  and  in  the  familiar  intercourse 
of  the  cloakroom  and  of  social  life.  We  all  knew  that  his 
was  a  mind  of  a  high  order,  active,  vigilant,  investigat- 
ing, stored  with  facts  acquired  from  constant  reading  and 
study,  and  a  spirit  pure  and  untarnished  from  the  world's 
contact,  but  growing  brighter,  ])urcr,  and  stronger  by  the 
exercise  of  the  highest  virtues. 


Life  ami  Cliaractcr  of  Zebitioti  Baird  I  'ancc.         65 

If  wit  and  mirth  and  merriment  witli  its  orenial  atmos- 
phere al\va)-s  came  from  his  presence  and  dissipated  all 
sorrow  and  gloom,  it  did  not  obscnre  the  light  of  his  tal- 
ents and  his  learning,  but  gave  the  greater  admiration  of 
his  varied  gifts  and  made  us  all  feel  that  the  poe^  Bvron's 
description  of  Sheridan,  that  nature  made  but  one  such 
man,  was  true  of  him,  and  tliat  she  liad  in  Zebulon  B. 
\'axce  given  to  the  Senate  and  the  country-  another  Sheri- 
dan. Between  these  two  men,  both  of  whom  are  now 
historical,  there  was  much  resemblance  in  the  nature  of 
their  talents  and  their  qualities  of  heart  and  character, 
though  differing  widely  in  their  habits  of  life. 

The  luster  of  Sheridan's  and  \'ance's  names  and  charac- 
ters for  wit  and  genius  and  great  and  varied  gifts  of  mind 
and  lovely  emotions  and  sympathies  still  remains  and  sheds 
a  light  of  joy  and  gladness  upon  our  race  and  the  spirit  of 
our  literature. 

In  yon  historic  hall  the  memory  and  the  traditions  ot 
the  genius  and  learning  of  the  departed  great  men  of  our 
race  are  stored  for  our  study,  our  instruction,  our  example, 
our  delight,  and  our  encouragement  to  renewed  efforts  to 
elevate  our  race,  and  to  teach  us  that  there  is  a  life  beyond 
for  the  spirit  and  its  gifts,  and  for  the  character  formed 
of  such  like  efforts,  emotions,  and  sympathies — a  life  of 
joy  and  brightness. 

To  Senator  Zebulon  B.  Vance  belongs  a  higher  trib- 
ute of  praise  than  even  our  love  and  admiration  can  give 
him. 

I  have  read  somewhere  a  legend  from  the  East,  the 
land  where  we  find  traces  of  a  civilization  equal  if  not 
superior  to  our  own,  a  civilization  which  has  been  lost  and 
S  Mis  151— 5 


66  Address  of  Mr.  Call  of  Florida. 

forgotten,  which  perished  without  a  histor%-,  and  whicli  is 
only  known  by  tradition  and  tlie  excavated  remains  of  art 
and  sculpture  and  the  massive  ruins  of  an  architecture 
impossible  to  ns.  In  this  strange  land  of  an  ancient  and 
ruined  civilization  and  of  the  lost  arts,  whicli  the  great 
orator  and  philanthropist  of  Massachusetts,  Wendell  Phil- 
lips, in  his  orations  on  the  lost  arts  describes — from  this 
people,  it  is  said,  comes  this  tradition. 

An  Eastern  sage  had  passed  his  life  in  study  and  in 
devotion  to  the  good  of  the  people.  After  death  he  passed 
into  the  presence  of  the  recording  angel  at  the  gates  of 
Paradise.  The  angel,  with  the  book  of  life  open  before 
him,  said,  "What  hast  thou  done,  O  Abdul  Kadiz,  that 
thou  shouldst  be  admitted  within  the  gates  of  Paradise?" 
The  sage  replied,  "I  have  loved  my  fellow-men!"  The 
angel  said,  "It  is  written  in  the  great  book  of  life,  'Abdul 
Kadiz;  he  loved  his  fellow-men.'  Enter  thou  into  the 
joys  of  Paradise;"  and  wide  sprung  open  the  golden 
gates. 

If  this  legend  of  the  spirit  land  as  it  came  from  the  for- 
gotten race,  with  all  its  perished  life,  be  true,  the  spirit  of 
our  departed  brother  when  he  came  into  the  presence  of 
the  angel  with  the  great  book  of  life,  when  asked,  "What 
hast  thou  done  to  enter  within  the  gates  of  Paradise?" 
said,  "I  have  loved  my  fellow-men,"  and  the  angel  with 
the  book  of  life  replied,  "Thus  it  is  written  in  tlie  great 
book  of  life — thou  hast  loved  thy  fellow-men;  enter  thou 
into  the  joys  of  Paradise." 

In  the  mysterious  and  never-ending  procession  of  our 
race  from  infancy  until  it  disappears  in  that  future  of 
which  we  know  not,  except  in  the  faith  of  religion  and 


Life  a)id  Character  of  Zebu  Ion  Baird  Vance.  67 

reason;  in  the  midst  of  all  its  dark  and  cruel  shades  there 
has  appeared  in  all  its  career  a  light  of  love  and  gentle- 
ness, of  truth  and  self-sacrifice,  which  illumines  its  dark 
and  bloody  features,  ind  lifts  humanity  into  a  happier  and 
more  beautiful  life.  For  nearly  two  thousand  years  the 
God  man,  the  Christ  of  our  religion,  has  given  to  human- 
ity the  example  and  the  instruction  cf  this  higher  and 
better  life. 

In  His  footsteps  the  noble  army  of  martyrs,  the  seed  of 
the  Church,  whos^  praise  is  ever  chanted,  have  trodden  ; 
and  amongst  the  spirits  whose  life  has  been  one  of  love 
for  mankind,  although  not  called  to  be  a  martyr,  will  be 
justly  placed  our  departed  brother,,  whose  wit  delighted, 
whose  talents  instructed,  whose  life  encourages  other  men 
to  enlist  in  the  great  work  of  making  our  race 'happier  in 
their  lives,  and  free  it  from  the  dominion  of  vice  and  want 
and  cruelty. 

What  nobler  anthem  than  this  can  be  sung  over  his 
departure  from  us !  What  more  comforting  thought  can 
come  to  those  who  remain,  to  the  lovel\-  woman  whose 
care  and  devotion  brightened  his  life,  stimulated  his 
spirit,  and  encouraged  him  in  thoughts  of  high  accom- 
plishment, of  high  courage  and  constant  labor  for  right 
and  duty,  and  which  cheered  and  softened  the  last  hours 
of  his  life  with  us  ! 

To  Senator  Vance  we  may  truthfully  apply  the  beau- 
tiful monody  of  Byron  to  Sheridan  upon  his  departure 
from  this  life. 

They  so  resembled  each  other  in  their  intellects,  their 
emotions,  their  gifts,  that  the  description  of  one  applies  to 
the  other. 


68  Address  of  Mr.  Call  of  Florida. 

A  mighty  Spirit  is  eclipsed — a  Power 
Hath  pass'd  from  day  to  darkness — to  whose  hour 
Of  light  no  likeness  is  bequeath'd — no  name. 
The  flash  of  Wit — the  bright  Intelligence, 
The  beam  of  Song — the  blaze  of  Eloijuence, 
Set  with  their  Sun. 


From  the  charmM  council  to  the  festive  beard, 
Of  human  feelings  the  unbounded  lord ; 

***** 
The  gay  creations  of  his  spirit  charm, 
The  matchless  dialogue — the  deathless  wit, 
Which  knew  not  what  it  was  to  intermit. 

***** 
Ye  Orators  !  whom  yet  our  councils  yield, 
Mourn  for  the  veteran  Hero  of  your  field ! 
Ye  Bards  !  to  whom  the  Drama's  Muse  is  dear^ 
He  was  your  master — emulate  him  here. 
Ye  Men  of  wit  and  social  eloquence! 
He  was  your  brother — bear  his  ashes  htnce 
While  powers  of  mind  almost  of  boundless  range. 
Complete  in  kind — as  various  in  their  change. 
While  Eloquence — Wit — Poesy — and  Mirth, 

***** 
Sun'ive  within  our  souls — while  lives  our  sense 
Of  pride  in  Merit's  proud  preeminence, 
Long  shall  we  seek  his  likeness — long  in  vain. 


Lije  and  Character  of  Zcbitlon  Baird  I  ance.         69 


Address  of  Mr.  Dubois. 

Mr.  President:  Zebulon  B.  Vance  was  born  on  the 
13th  day  of  May,  1830,  in  Buncombe  County,  N.  C.  He 
was  educated  at  Washington  College,  Tennessee,  and  the 
University  of  North  Carolina.  In  January,  1852,  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  and  was  elected  attorney  for  his  native 
county  in  the  same  year.  In  1854  he  served  as  a  member 
of  the  State  house  of  commons  of  North  Carolina,  and  was 
a  Representative  from  North  Carolina  in  the  Thirty-fifth 
and  Thirty-sixth  Congresses.  In  May,  1861,  he  entered 
the  Confederate  army  as  a  captain  and  was  promoted  to  a 
colonelcy  in  August  of  the  same  year.  He  was  elected 
governor  of  North  Carolina  in  August,  1862,  and  was 
reelected  in  August,  1864. 

He  was  known  as  the  war  governor  of  his  State,  and  dur- 
ing his  administration  the  great  writ  of  habeas  corpus  was 
never  suspended.  During  his  incumbency  of  the  ofiBce  of 
governor,  and  just  at  the  close  of  the  war,  his  State  was 
taken  possession  of  by  the  Federal  troops.  He  was  cap- 
tured, released  on  parole,  and  confined  to  Iredell  County, 
N.  C.     In  a  short  time  thereafter  he  was  again  taken  in 

« 

charge  by  a  company  of  United  States  troops  at  Statesville, 
N.  C,  and  brought  from  there  to  the  Old  Capitol  Prison, 
in  Washington,  wherd  he  was  confined  for  about  three 
months. 

In  November,  1870,  Governor  Vance  was  elected  to  the 
United  States  Senate,  but  was  unable  to  qualify  because 
his    political    disabilities    had    not    been    removed.      He 


JO  Address  of  Air.  Dubois  of  Idaho. 

resigned  his  claim  to  a  seat  in  the  Senate  in  January,  1872. 
In  the  same  year  he  was  again  the  Democratic  nominee  for 
United  States  Senator,  but  was  defeated  by  a  combination 
of  bolting  Democrats  and  Republicans,  who  elected  the 
late  Judge  Merrimon.  In  the  mean  time  he  practiced  law 
in  Charlotte,  N.  C,  with  the  Hon.  Clement  Dowd,  with 
whom  he  remained  in  partnership  until  1876,  when  he  was, 
for  the  third  time,  nominated  for  governor  of  his  State 
and  elected  bv  a  large  majority — the  Republicans,  up  to 
that  time,  having  had  control  of  the  State  government 
from  the  close  of  the  war.  On  March  18,  1879,  Senator 
Vance,  having  again  been  elected  to  the  United  States 
Senate — this  time  to  succeed  Senator  Merrimon— took  his 
seat  in  this  Chamber  and  remained  a  member  of  this  body 
until  the  day  of  his  death,  April  14,  1894.  His  term  of 
service  would  not  have  expired  until  March  4,  1897. 

No  man,  I  believe,  has  ever  enjoyed  to  a  greater  extent 
the  love  and  affection  of  the  people  of  his  State.  It  was 
gentiine  love  and  affection,  and  I  was  told  that  when  the 
news  of  his  death  was  announced  many  men  and  women, 
as  well  as  children,  all  over  his  State,  wept  as  if  they  had 
lost  a  near  and  dear  relative  as  well  as  friend.  He  appre- 
ciated keenly  the  friendship  of  his  peo])le  and  the  many 
honors  they  had  conferred  upon  him,  and  was,  in  turn, 
their  true,  loyal,  and  devoted  friend  and  champion  to  his 
last  dying  breath.  No  one  of  his  constituents  was  too 
humble  to  be  accorded  an  interview  at  any  time,  and  to  be 
rendered  a  service  if  it  was  in  his  power  to  aid  or  cheer 
them. 

The  respect  and  devotion  uniformly  shown  by  the  peo- 
ple at  his  funeral  was  such  as  is  rarely,  if  ever,  accorded 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebu/on  Baird  I'anct.         71 

to  a  public  man.  Throngs  of  people  lined  the  railroad 
track  all  the  way  from  Raleigh  to  Asheville.  The  night 
before  reaching  Asheville  was  ideal,  and  peculiar  to  South- 
ern climes.  The  moon  was  shining  full,  the  air  was 
balmy,  and  most  of  us  who  composed  the  funeral  escort 
sat  up  until  long  past  midnight.  In  the  early  hours  of  the 
morning,  as  the  train  would  whirl  past  a  small  station, 
hundreds  of  people  could  be  seen  standing  on  the  banks 
near  the  track  in  solemn  and  reverent  silence.  They  knew 
the  train  would  not  stop,  yet  they  had  traveled  many  miles 
in  order  to  pay  this  last  tribute  of  love  to  their  departed 
leader  and  friend.  All  with  whom  I  came  in  contact  said 
that  Senator  Vance  was  regarded  as  a  personal  friend  by 
everyone. 

I  was  particularly  struck  with  a  little  incident  that  hap- 
pened as  the  funeral  train  w;  s  passing  through  Durham, 
N.  C,  where  it  stopped  for  a  few  moments,  to  allow  the 
citizens  to  vi-ew  the  remains.  The  crowd  was  so  great  that 
it  was  with  difficulty  that  people  could  reach  the  funeral 
car ;  in  fact,  many  were  not  able  to  get  there  at  all,  and 
among  the  latter  was  an  old  lady  who  was  deeply  disap- 
pointed at  being  prevented  from  taking  a  last  look  at  her 
departed  friend.  She  tried  to  console  herself,  however,  by 
showing  to  the  crowd  a  twenty-five  cent  and  a  ten-cent  sil- 
ver piece  which  she  had  placed  upon  the  track  as  the  train 
ran  into  the  station.  They  were  completely  flattened  out, 
and  she  proposed  to  keep  them  as  mementos.  She  said  it 
was  all  the  money  she  had  on  earth. 

Another  touching  incident  occurred  at  Asheville,  where 
he  was  buried.  The  surviving  soldiers  of  his  old  company 
who  went  to  the  front  with  him  when  the  late  war  broke 


72  Address  of  Mr.  Dubois  of  Idaho. 

out  attended  the  funeral  in  a  body,  or  rather  all  of  them 
who  were  able.  There  was  one  who  li\-ed  many  miles 
from  the  city,  and  who,  on  account  of  bein>j  a  cripple  from 
wounds  received,  could  not  go  to  the  grave.  At  the  hour 
for  the  last  sad  services  to  commence,  however,  he  had 
himself  carried  to  the  little  building  not  far  away,  which 
served  both  as  country  schoolhouse  and  church,  and  there 
he  solemnly  tolled  the  bell  as  long  as  he  thought  the  rites 
were  continuing. 

Senator  Vance  could  not  bear  unfriendly  or  strained 
relations  with  any  of  his  colleagues,  and  always  found  a 
way  to  overcome  them.  It  was  my  lot  to  run  counter 
to  him  during  my  early  life  in  Congress.  He  bitterly 
opposed  the  admission  of  Idaho  to  the  Union,  which  I  as 
the  Delegate  was  urging,  and  made  a  speech  full  of  sar- 
casm and  ridicule  adverse  to  our  claims.  His  picture  of 
our  citizens  was  a  most  severe  arraignment.  After  Idaho 
became  a  State,  and  my  seat  in  the  Senate  was  contested, 
Senator  Vance  took  the  side  of  my  opponent  and  earnestly 
contended  against  the  legality  of  my  election.  Several 
months  after  the  contest  had  been  decided  in  my  favor, 
and  when  we  were  fighting  on  the  same  side  in  favor  of 
silver,  he  came  to  my  seat  one  day  and  said:  "Dubois, 
I  am  willing  to  forgive  you  for  everything  I  have  done 
against  you  and  Idaho."  From  that  time  until  his  death 
I  had  the  honor  and  pleasure  of  his  friendship  and  confi- 
dence. 

I  believe  that  more  than  all  else,  if  possible,  he  cherished 
and  prided  himself  upon  the  confidence  his  people  had  in 
his  integrity  and  honesty.  He  often  spoke  of  it,  and  said 
they  knew  "his  hands  were  clean,"  and  if  he  had  made 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebu/on  Baini  I  'ance.  73 

mistakes  they  were  mistakes  of  judgment,  and   not  made 
through  dishonest  motives. 

His  sense  of  humor  remained  with  him  to  the  last. 
Twenty-four  hours  before  he  died  he  sent  for  his  friend 
and  colleague.  Senator  Blackburn.  Orders  had  been  given 
by  his  physician  that  he  must  not  be  excited  by  visitors. 
"Joe,"  said  Vance,  "they  say  I  must  not  see  anyone,  but 
you  won't  hurt  me,  and  you  know  I  can't  hurt  you."  In 
that  interview,  which  he  knew  was  his  last,  he  cheered  his 
friend  with  anecdotes  and  reminiscences,  and  sent  kindly 
words  to  his  colleagues  whom  he  was  leaving. 


74        Address  of  Mr.  CJiandler  of  New  Hampshire. 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr,  Chandler. 

Mr.  President:  The  tributes  of  affection  -o^iven  to  the 
memory-  of  Senator  Vaxce  when,  on  the  17th  of  April  last, 
we  bore  his  remains  to  their  last  resting  place,  proved  that 
he  was  universally  beloved  by  the  people  of  the  State  ot 
North  Carolina,  without  distinction  of  party  or  of  race. 
Wherever  the  train  halted  crowds  of  friendly  sympathizers, 
with  sad  faces  and  kindly  words,  expressed  their  sense  of 
their  loss  of  their  Senator,  whom  all  seemed  to  have  known 
as  a  friend,  and  whose  fame  all  seemed  to  feel  was  a  glory 
to  them  and  their  Commonwealth. 

Soutli  and  east  we  went  to  Raleigh;  all  business  was 
suspended  and  the  whole  region  poured  out  its  crowds  to 
take  a  last  look  at  the  form  of  their  great  citizen,  soldier, 
governor,  and  Senator,  resting  within  the  precincts  of  the 
vState  capitol.  Not  merely  the  governor  and  State  officers, 
but  all  the  people;  old  and  young,  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren, white  and  black,  pressed  through  the  portals  to  say 
farewell  to  him  they  loved  as  a  public  man  has  seldom 
been  loved  by  those  whom  he  has  served. 

Then  we  went  westward  toward  the  mountain  home  of 
our  departed  friend.  All  the  stations  were  thronged  with 
eager  yet  gentle  mourners.  At  Durham,  most  melodious 
voices,  coming  from  men  and  women  with  black  faces  and 
toil-worn  hands,  sang  with  touching  pathos,  "Father,  we 
rest  in  Thy  love."  At  Greensboro  the  little  station  was 
crowded  with  citizens,  and  the  old  Twenty-sixth  Regiment 


Life  ami  Characfcr  of  Zchiiloii  Baird  I  'aiicc.  75 

Band  of  Salem-Winston,  which  had  followed  the  fortunes 
of  war  with  tlieir  chieftain,  discoursed  sacred  music. 

At  last,  on  the  morning  of  the  iSth,  we  reached  the 
section  where  our  friend  was  born.  From  the  surround- 
ing towns  to  Asheville  came  delegations;  from  Charlotte, 
Hendersonville,  Marion,  Morganton,  Winston,  Salisbury, 
and  others  whose  names  have  passed  from  me.  In  remoter 
places  we  learned  that  all  labor  had  ceased;  buildings  were 
draped;  flags  were  half-masted,  and  commemorative  serv- 
ices were  held.  In  Asheville  the  day  was  wholly  given  to 
the  burial  of  their  beloved  dead.  It  seemed  as  if  every  res- 
ident came  to  see  in  death  him  whom  they  had  known  so 
well  in  life.  Masons,  Odd  Fellows,  State  militia.  Confed- 
erate veterans,  local  organizations  of  many  names,  were  the 
escort  to  and  from  the  church.  The  school  children,  in 
their  beauty  and  freshness,  lined  the  roadwa)-;  and  after 
appropriate  religious  rites,  in  the  beautiful  cemetery  at 
Riverside,  on  the  slopes  of  the  valley  of  the  noble  French 
Broad  River — ashes  to  ashes,  dust  to  dust — we  committed 
to  mother  earth,  from  which  it  sprung,  the  lifeless  body  of 
him  whose  immortal  soul  had  left  its  tenement  of  clay,  and 
who,  even  as  we  stood  there  mourning,  was  walking  with 
the  angelic  hosts  in  the  streets  of  the  New  Jerusalem. 

Mr.  President,  almost  unqualified  praise  may  be  spoken 
of  the  character  of  this  son  of  North  Carolina  whom  we 
now  commemorate.  Born  among  the  mountains  which 
are  so  surely  the  home  of  untamed  freedom,  he  was  self- 
reliant  and  independent.  He  was  a  strong  man  naturally 
and  intellectuallv,  and  made  himself  a  name  and  a  fame  as 
a  lawyer,  as  an  orator,  and  as  a  statesman  which  gave  him 
a  high  place  in  the  history  of  his  State,  and  entitle  him  to 


76       Address  of  Mr.  Chandler  of  New  Ha7iipshire. 

manifestations  of  respect  and  honor  from  this  Senate  and 
from  tlie  people  of  the  United  States. 

As  a  public,  speaker  to  large  audiences  he  stood  among 
the  foremost  of  his  generation.  He  was  gifted  in  tliat 
great  essential  of  a  popular  orator,  a  vivid  imagination, 
enabling  him  to  freely  illustrate  his  ideas  and  thus  reit- 
erate them  to  his  auditors  with  great  effect.  His  accurate 
memory  supplemented  his  imaginative  powers,  and  with 
his  fine  person  and  pleasing  voice  he  early  became  the  lead- 
ing orator  of  his  day  in  his  State,  and  from  the  attract- 
iveness and  power  of  his  speeches,  in  every  part  of  that 
widely  extended  Commonwealth,  he  came  to  be  the  most 
familiar  figure  to  her  citizens  of  all  her  prominent  char- 
acters, admired,  sought  for,  applauded,  and  beloved  to  a 
height  of  personal  popularity  seldom  reached  by  a  public 
man. 

For  his  many-sided  and  superior  abilities  he  is  remem- 
bered and  mourned  by  his  people.  I  love  to  think  of  him 
as  a  tender  friend.  Possessed  of  a  keen  sense  of  humor, 
without  which  life  in  this  sad  and  mysterious  state  of 
existence  woiild  be  worth  so  little,  and  with  geniality  of 
temper  and  manner,  he  was  endeared  to  all  his  associates 
in  this  body.  They  were  always  glad  when  he  appeared; 
they  rejoiced  in  his  companionship;  his  wit  delighted 
them  without  inflicting  pain,  and  they  parted  from  him 
always  with  reluctance.  I  am  thankful  that  I  was  allowed 
the  privilege  of  assisting  in  bearing  his  mortal  frame  to  its 
last  resting  place,  and  that  I  am  now  permitted  to  speak 
even  feeble  and  inadequate  words  of  praise  and  affection 
for  the  courteous  gentleman,  the  good  citizen,  the  faithful 
husband  and  father,  the  eloquent  orator  and  accomplished 


Life  and  Character  of  Zehiiloii  Baird  I  'ance.         "jj 

Senator,  abo\-e  all,  the  gentle  and  loving  friend,  who  has 
gone  before  ns  to  the  spirit  land. 

As  we  once  more  finally  part  in  this  world  with  or.e 
whose  joyous  presence  lately  filled  our  sight  and  thoughts, 
whom  we  can  still  see  with  eyes  of  mental  vision,  we 
cling  to  faith  in  immortality.  This  life  would  be  worth- 
less, and  a  mockery  of  human  hope,  if  there  were  not  a 
life  beyond.  Imperfection  pervades  every  earthly  posses- 
sion and  achievement.  We  can  not  even  make  an  effort 
to  understand  the  purposes  of  the  Maker  of  the  universe  if 
this  life  is  the  whole  of  human  existence.  We  can  not 
bring  ourselves  to  believe  in  His  goodness  if  the  wrongs 
of  this  life  are  not  to  be  made  right  in  a  future  state. 
Without  debating  dogmas,  we  all  hope,  we  all  believe, 
that  somehow,  somewhere,  sorrow  and  sighing  shall  flee 
away,  all  souls  shall  be  saved,  and  permanent  happiness 
shall  at  last  come  to  all  the  children  of  men.  This  faith, 
whether  kept  secret  or  admitted,  I  believe  abides  in  the 
hearts  of  all.  Mr.  Fronde  expresses  what  he  says  is  a 
universal  feeling: 

There  seems,  in  the  first  place,  to  lie  in  all  men,  in  proportion  to  the  strength 
of  their  understanding,  a  conviction  that  there  is  in  all  human  things  a  real 
order  and  purpose,  notwithstanding  the  chaos  in  which  at  times  they  seem  to  be 
involved.  Suffering  scattered  blindly  without  remedial  purpose  or  retributive 
propriety;  good  and  evil  distributed  with  the  most  absolute  disregard  of  moral 
merit  or  demerit;  enormous  crimes  perpetrated  with  impunity,  or  vengeance 
when  it  comes  falling  not  on  the  guilty,  but  the  innocent,  *  *  *  these 
phenomena  present,  generation  after  generation,  the  same  perplexing  and  even 
maddening  features;  and  without  an  illogical  but  none  the  less  a  positive  cer- 
tainty that  things  are  not  as  they  seem;  that,  in  spite  of  appearance,  there  is 
justice  at  the  heart  of  them,  and  that,  in  the  working  out  of  the  vast  drama,  jus- 
tice will  assert  somehow  and  somewhere  its  sovereign  right  and  power,  the 
better  sort  of  persons  would  find  existence  altogether  unendurable. 

The  words  of  this  great  thinker  and  writer  find  an  echo 
in  every  thoughtful  human  soul.      But  faith  prevails  and 


78        Address  of  Mr.  Chandler  of  Nezv  Hampshire. 

hope  springs  eternal  in  the  human  breast.  Tliere  is  an 
existence  beyond  the  present  life  where  all  shall  be  made 
clear.  We  shall  see  as  we  are  seen;  we  shall  know  even 
as  we  are  known. 

Mr.  Dickens  made  the  poor  idiotic  Barnaby  and  the 
coarse,  strong  Hugh  of  the  Maypole  Inn  hold  conversa- 
tions about  the  wonders  of  the  visible  heavens;  and  they 
inquire  of  each  other  whence  comes  the  light  of  the  in- 
numerable stars  that  dot  the  skies.  When  they  were  both 
under  sentence  of  death,  and,  just  before  the  dawn  of  day, 
were  led  across  the  prison  yard  toward  the  place  of  exe- 
cution, Barnaby,  looking  upward  toward  the  myriad  lights 
of  the  night,  exclaims — 

Hugh,  we  shall  know  what  makes  the  stars  shine,  now. 

Our  faith  here  to-day  ought  to  exceed  that  of  the  poor 
simpleton  created  by  the  imagination  of  the  novelist. 
Not  only  shall  we  know  what  makes  the  stars  shine,  but 
all  the  wonders  of  the  vast  universe  shall  be  open  to  our 
search.  Our  homes  shall  be  among  the  hea^'ens;  the 
problems  that  our  burdened  souls  have  studied  so  despair- 
ingly shall  be  happily  solved,  and  we  may  even  become 
participators  in  the  knowledge  and  power  of  Him 

Whose  power  o'er  moving  worlds  presides, 
Whose  voice  created  and  whose  wisdom  guides. 

To  this  felicity  the  friend  we  now  with  tenderness 
remember  has  already  fully  advanced.  We  would  not,  if 
we  could,  bring  him  back  to  earth,  slowly  and  painfully 
to  die  again.  We  wait,  reverently  and  hopefully,  for  the 
summons  to  us  to  join  him  in  some  star  that  is  shining, 
from  eternity  to  eternity,  with  unfading  luster  in  God's 
illimitable  wilderness  of  worlds. 


Lije  and  Character  of  Zebulon  Baird  Vance.         79 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  JARVIS. 

Mr.  President:  I  had  not  intended  to  speak  on  this  oc- 
casion, for  the  distinguished  dead  of  whose  virtues  others 
have  spoken  so  justly  and  so  feelingly  was  to  nie  more 
like  a  brother  than  a  friend.  But  in  the  last  few  hours 
I  have  concluded  to  speak,  and  I  now  ask  to  add  this 
simple  but  sincere  tribute  to  his  memory. 

Zebulon  Baird  Vance  was  born  in  Buncombe  County, 
N.  C,  on  the  13th  day  of  May,  1830,  of  a  parentage  noble 
in  all  the  elements  that  go  to  make  up  useful,  patriotic 
American  citizens.  His  early  life  was  spent  on  the  farm 
and  in  those  pursuits  incident  to  the  home  life  of  the 
country  people  of  those  days.  In  his  boyhood  and  early 
manhood  he  sought  and  received  the  educational  advan- 
tages of  the  country  school,  the  village  academy,  and  t'.ie 
university  of  his  State.  His  first  public  service,  I  believe, 
was  as  county  solicitor,  and  he  discharged  the  duties  of  the 
office  with  conspicuous  ability  for  one  so  young  in  years 
and  in  the  experience  of  the  law. 

In  1854  he  was  elected  to  the  house  of  commons,  as  the 
lower  house  of  the  legislature  of  North  Carolina  was  then 
called,  and  in  that  body  he  soon  developed  the  fact  that 
he  was  a  born  leader  of  men.  Upon  the  promotion  of 
the  Hon.  Thomas  L.  Clingman  to  a  seat  in  the  Senate 
of  the  United  States,  Mr.  Vance  became  a  candidate  to 
fill  the  vacancy  in  the  National  House  of  Representatives 
from  the  mountain  district  of  North  Carolina,  and  it  was 
in  this  contest  that  his  immense  popularity  and  strength 


8o  Acl(i7-ess  of  Mr.  Jarvis  of  Nortli   Carolina. 

with  the  people  were  first  developed.  That  district  had 
been  long  represented  by  ]\Ir.  Clingnian,  who  was  one  of 
the  leading  Democrats  of  the  House,  and  upon  his  promo- 
tion to  the  Senate  the  Democrats  selected  a  strong  man  as 
a  candidate  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

Mr.  Vance,  then  full  of  humor,  life,  hope,  and  youth- 
ful enthusiasm,  entered  the  race  against  the  Democratic 
candidate  and  was  triumphantly  elected.  At  the  succeed- 
ing election  for  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
the  Democrats  nominated  another  strong  man  and  made  a 
heroic  effort  to  redeem  the  district,  but  Vance  was  again 
triumphantly  elected.  The  promise  of  his  brilliant  career 
in  the  House  of  Representatives  was  cut  short  by  the  out- 
break of  hostilities  between  the  two  sections  of  his  coun- 
try. Up  to  this  time  he  had  been  an  ardent  Union  man, 
but  when  the  time  came  when  it  was  manifest  to  him  that 
he  must  fight  with  or  against  his  own  people  he  threw 
himself  on  the  side  of  the  South  with  all  the  energy  for 
which  his  ardent  nature  was  so  distinguished.  He  entered 
the  military  service  of  his  State  and  then  of  the  Confeder- 
acy, and  soon  became  colonel  of  a  regiment.  But  of  his 
military  record  I  shallnot  speak  now,  as  I  have  done  that 
before  another  audience  in  this  city. 

In  1862  he  was  called  b}'  the  soldiers  and  citizens  of 
North  Carolina  from  the  camp  and  the  field  to  the  respon- 
sible office  of  governor  of  his  State  in  a  time  of  war  and 
great  anxiety,  to  which  office  he  was  again  elected  in  1864. 
In  this  great  ofllice  he  exhibited  executive  capacit\-  of  a 
high  order.  He  did  more.  He  .showed  himself  to  be  the 
friend  of  the  people.  Although  the  coast  of  North  Caro- 
lina was  blockaded  and  every  port  of  entry  not  actually  in 


Life  ami  Cliaracter  of  Zclntion  Baird  I'aiice.         8i 

the  possession  of  the  Union  forces  was  closeh-  watched  by 
Federal  gunboats  and  ships  of  war.  Governor  Vanxe  man- 
aged to  purchase  in  Europe  for  his  State  a  swift-running 
passenger  steamer,  wliich  he  caused  to  be  converted  into  a 
blockade  runner,  and  with  this  ship  running  in  and  out  at 
Wihiiington,  taking  out  cotton,  tobacco,  and  the  like,  and 
bringing  in  army,  family,  and  hospital  supplies,  he  cared 
for  the  North  Carolina  soldiers  in  the  field  and  their  fami- 
lies at  home  in  a  manner  that  won  for  him  a  high  reputa- 
tion as  a  governor  and  the  lasting  gratitude  and  loyalty  of 
the  soldiers  and  people  of  his  State. 

God  in  His  wisdom  decreed  that  this  great  country 
should  be  one.  In  its  creation  He  made  no  great  rivers  or 
chains  of  mountains  running  East  or  West,  forming  a  nat- 
ural division,  and  the  heroism  of  the  Lees  and  Jacksons, 
and  the  Johnstons  and  Vances,  and  Gordons  and  Ransoms, 
and  the  patient  endurance  of  the  soldiers  who  followed  the 
fiery  cross  could  not  make  an  artificial  division  and  over- 
turn the  decrees  of  Him  who  doetli  all  things  well.  Tlie 
end  came,  and  with  it  a  return  of  the  soldiers  to  their 
wasted  fields  and  desolate  homes.  But  they  commenced 
the  work  of  rebuilding  with  the  same  heroic  fortitude  with 
which  they  had  followed  the  flag  of  the  Confederacy  in 
camp  and  field. 

Vance  was  arrested,  imprisoned  in  the  Old  Capitol  at 
Washington,  but  was  released  after  some  months,  and  then 
he,  too,  addressed  himself  to  the  great  work  of  bringing 
order  out  of  chaos  and  prosperity  out  of  poverty.  Before 
much  had  been  done  in  that  direction  his  State  passed 
through  the  bitter  days  and  years  of  reconstruction,  in 
which  he  stood  all  the  time  for  law  and  order  and  good 
S  Mis  151 6 


82  Address  of  Mr.  Jarvis  of  Xorth   Carolina. 

government.  In  the  election  of  1870  the  Democrats  car- 
ried the  legislature  of  his  State,  and  when  that  body  con- 
vened Vance  was  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate,  but 
the  Senate  declined  to  remove  his  disabilities  or  to  admit 
him  to  his  seat  in  that  body. 

It  was  upon  his  return  trip  home  after  his  futile  effoi*  to 
get  his  disabilities  removed  that  he  is  said  to  have  made 
the  humorous  but  pointed  reply  to  the  two  clergymen 
who,  sitting  in  the  seat  in  front  of  him,  were  engaged  in  a 
heated  discussion  of  the  doctrine  of  election.  They  were 
not  able  to  agree,  and  seeing  that  the  gentleman  behind 
them  seemed  to  be  much  interested  in  the  discussion  they 
appealed  to  him  for  his  opinion.  To  their  in(|uir\-  he 
promptly  replied :  "My  experience  is  that  tlie  election  is 
not  worth  much  if  your  disabilities  are  not  removed." 

The  Republicans  had  held  the  executive  and  judicial 
departments  of  the  State  government  of  North  Carolina 
from  Jul}',  1868,  to  1876,  and  they  did  not  intend  to  sur- 
render these  departments  without  a  stubborn  fight.  They 
nominated  the  Hon.  Thomas  Settle,  their  ablest  man,  for 
governor,  to  lead  their  forces  in  the  great  campaign  of 
1876,  and  the  Democrats  nominated  the  idol  of  the  peo- 
ple. Hon.  Zebulon  B.  V.\nce,  to  lead  them.  These  two 
giants,  the  idols  of  their  respective  parties,  agreed  upon 
and  conducted  a  joint  canvass  of  the  State,  and  for  three 
months  they  addressed  in  joint  debate  the  greatest  polit- 
ical assemblages  ever  seen  in  North  Carolina. 

Thousands  flocked  to  hear  them  ever\-  day.  Great  cav- 
alcades met  them  on  the  highway  and  escorted  them  to 
the  places  of  speaking.  It  was  by  far  the  most  wonder- 
ful political  campaign  ever  seen  in  the  State,  and  \'.\xcE 


Life  and  Character  of  Zcbulon  Baird  I  'ancc.         83 

created  such  enthusiasm  among  his  followers  that  he  was 
swept  into  office  by  a  majority  of  more  than  13,000.  He 
was  inaugurated  governor  of  his  State  for  the  third  time 
on  the  1st  of  January,  1877,  but  he  onh-  ser\-ed  out  half 
of  his  term  of  four  years.  Being  elected  to  the  United 
States  Senate  in  January,  1879,  he  resigned  the  office  of 
governor  to  accept  a  seat  in  the  Senate,  and  his  successor 
in  the  governor's  office  was  inaugurated  on  the  5th  day 
of  February,  1879.  The  reforms  and  plans  which  he 
inaugurated  during  his  two  years  of  service  as  governor 
for  the  development  and  upbuilding  of  his  State  were 
pursued  and  carried  out  by  his  successor  in  office  to  the 
great  advantage  of  the  people  and  the  public  interest. 

He  was  reelected  Senator  in  1885  and  again  in  1891. 
Of  his  ser\'ice  in  the  Senate,  of  which  the  people  of  his 
State  are  justly  proud,  I  shall  not  speak.  His  colleagues 
who  served  with  him  have  lovingly  done  this.  Thus  we 
see  that  he  was  twice  elected  to  the  lower  House  of  Con- 
gress, three  times  governor  of  his  State,  and  four  times 
to  the  United  States  Senate.  In  these  particulars,  taken 
together,  he  had  an  indorsement  by  the  people  of  his  State 
never  eiven  to  anv  other  North  Carolinian. 

Mr.  President,  I  have  thus  far  spoken  of  the  public 
services  of  this  truly  great  man.  I  now  beg  to  detain  the 
Senate  a  moment  with  a  few  observations  on  some  of  his 
characteristics.  C  He  was  an  intellectual  giant,  and  could 
have  easily  been  in  the  foremost  rank  of  any  department  of 
life  to  which  he  devoted  his  time  and  attention.  He  gave 
his  life  to  the  public  service  and  to  the  people.  His  success 
was  their  success;  his  glory,  their  glor}-.  They  shared 
in  all  his  trials  and  all  his  triumphs.      No  man  in  public 


f7 


84  Address  of  Mr.  Jarvis  of  North  Carolina. 

life  ever  stood  more  steadfastly  by  the  people  and  for  the 
people  than  did  Zebulon  B.  Vance./ 

In  his  political  creed  he  was  boni  a  republican  and  a 
democrat  in  the  broadest  and  best  sense  of  these  terms. 
He  was  a  republican  in  that  he  believed  in  a  republic. 
He  was  a  democrat  in  that  lie  believed  in  the  people 
ruling  that  republic.  Mr.  President,  our  impressions  of 
objects  and  men  are  often  colored,  if  not  controlled,  by  the 
point  of  view  from  which  we  see  or  contemplate  them.  So 
our  conclusions  are  often  biased,  if  not  actualh-  formed,  by 
the  standpoint  from  which  we  approach  the  study  of  great 
public  questions.  Vance  always  approached  the  study  of 
these  questions  from  a  safe  and  right  standpoint,  and  he 
always  reached  correct  conclusions. 

His  starting  point  was  plain  and  simple,  but  sure  and 
safe.  It  was  from  the  standpoint  of  the  people's  interest. 
He  argued  this  is  the  people's  Government.  They  are  the 
sovereigns,  and  those  chosen  to  make  or  administer  the  law 
are  their  servants.  What  is  their  interest  in  this  matter? 
was  his  inquir\-.  That  being  determined,  the  wa>-  was 
easy  and  the  path  of  duty  plain.  The  people's  good  was 
what  he  always  aimed  at.  No  power  on  earth  could  turn 
him  aside  from  that  line  of  action.  The  people  of  his 
State  knew  and  appreciated  his  devotion  to  them  and  they 
loved  him  for  it.  They  were  ever  ready  to  follow  where 
he  led.     His  God  was  their  God;  his  ballot,  their  ballot. 

Individual  rights  aud  the  majesty  of  the  civil  law  never 
had  a  warmer  advocate  or  more  steadfast  friend  in  this 
country  than  this  great  tribune  of  the  people.  I  doubt  if 
there  were  many  .States  in  the  ITnion  or  the  Confederacy 
during  the  war  in  which  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  that 


Life  and  CItaractcr  of  Zcbiiloit  Baini  I  'ancc.  85 

great  writ  of  the  people's  rights,  could  at  all  times  be 
promptly  executed  and  obe)-ed.  In  most  of  the  States 
I  presume  men  were  arrested,  imprisoned,  detained,  and 
denied  the  benefits  of  this  great  writ,  but  it  did  not  happen 
in  North  Carolina. 

Governor  Vance,  although  ardently  supporting  the  Con- 
federacy, stood  by  the  writ,  even  in  the  face  of  the  army 
itself,  and  upheld  the  majesty  of  the  civil  law.  At  no. 
time  in  his  whole  public  career  was  he  ever  known  to 
consent  to  the  surrender  of  or  encroachment  upon  any  of 
the  individual  rights  of  an  American  citizen,  but  he  was 
ever  ready  with  tongue  and  pen  to  defend  them  from  any 
attack,  no  matter  whence  that  attack  came.  He  was  truly 
a  student  of  the  science  of  government,  of  politics,  of  the 
history  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  states,  nations,  and  peo- 
ples, and  the  more  he  learned  and  knew  the  more  ardently 
attached  he  became  to  republican  America  and  her  demo- 
cratic institutions.  It  was  here  that  the  people  had  their 
greatest  opportunities  and  their  highest  aspirations.  It 
was  his  glory  to  stand  by  the  people  in  all  their  struggles 
and  aspirations  for  broader  opportunities  and  a  higher  and 
better  life. 

As  a  writer,  a  humorist,  and  an  orator  he  was  in  the 
front  rank  of  the  foremost  men  of  his  day.  But  of  these  I 
shall  not  speak.  That  work  will  best  be  performed  by  his 
biographer.  It  was  as  a  public  servant  and  as  a  friend 
that  I  knew  him  best,  and  it  is  of  these  that  I  have  pre- 
ferred to  speak.  Many  circumstances  brought  us  close 
together,  and  I  may  be  pardoned  for  saying  that  it  is  prob- 
able that  I  had  his  confidence  as  fully  and  knew  as  much 
of  his  inward  life   and  labors  and  thoughts  in  the  interest 


86  Adih-ess  of  Mr.  Jarz'is  of  North  Carolina. 

of  the  people  and  the  public  ser\-ice  as  any  one  of  his 
closest  friends.  I  think  he  has  talked  freely  with  me 
about  every  public  question  that  has  been  of  any  concern 
to  the  people  of  North  Carolina  since  the  close  of  the  war, 
and  I  desire  here  in  my  place  in  the  Senate  to  say  that  I 
never  heard  him  discuss  one  of  these  questions  in  his  own 
interest.  The  only  concern  I  ever  knew  him  to  have  was 
how  to  solve  them  in  the  true  and  best  interest  of  the 
people.  He  was  always  ready  to  assume  any  responsibility 
or  to  undergo  any  labor  which,  in  his  opinion,  could  serve 
the  public  interest. 

In  that  section  of  the  State  where  he  was  born  and 
where  his  body  now  rests  there  are  many  grand  and  lofty 
mountains  standing  upon  their  eternal  base  and  lifting 
their  heads  into  the  very  clouds.  Some  are  three,  some 
four,  some  live,  and  some  are  more  than  six  thousand  feet 
high.  Any  one  of  them  serves  as  a  guide  to  the  traveler 
and  impresses  him  with  its  grandeur  and  greatness.  But 
there  is  one  that  towers  high  above  them  all.  Mount 
Mitchell  stands  out  boldly  as  the  great  center  of  attraction, 
and  it  is  to  this  that  people  always  turn  when  they  wi.sh 
to  gaze  upon  the  perfection  and  consummation  of  great 
mountain  scenery  in  all  its  magnificence  and  subliniit\-. 

So  in  North  Carolina  we  have  had  great  men,  any  one 
of  whom  was  and  is  an  honor  to  the  State,  and  of  whom 
our  people  have  been  and  still  are  justly  proud;  but  it  is 
no  disparagement  to  those  to  say  that  Zebuuon  Baird 
Vance  was  the  Mount  Mitchell  of  all  our  great  men,  and 
that  in  the  affections  and  love  of  the  people  he  towered 
above  them  all.  As  ages  to  come  will  not  be  able  to  mar 
the  grandeur  and  greatness  of  Mount  Mitchell,  so  they  will 


Life  and  CJiaraclcr  of  Zclniloii  Baird  Wiiicc.         87 

not  be  able  to  efface  from  tlie  hearts  and  minds  of  the 
people  the  name  and  memory  of  their  belo\-ed  Vance. 

In  the  days  of  his  toil  and  labors,  when  fatigne  and 
weariness  came  upon  him,  he  was  fond  of  retiring  to  his 
native  mountains,  and  there,  beneath  their  shadows,  he 
found  rest  and  restoration.  When  his  life  work  was  done 
it  was  meet  and  jDroper  that  his  body  should  be  laid  to  rest 
at  the  feet  of  these  same  mountains.  Shall  his  body  again 
be  restored?  Is  death  an  eternal  sleep,  or  is  it  rest  to  the 
body,  which  in  God's  own  appointed  time  shall  come  forth 
again,  restored  and  reunited  with  the  immortal  soul? 

This  man  was  not  too  great  to  accept  the  teachings  of 
the  Christian  religion.  He  believed  in  the  immortality  of 
the  soul  and  in  the  resurrection  of  the  body.  He  was  a 
great  student  of  the  Bible,  and  few  were  more  conver- 
sant with  the  Scriptures  than  he  was.  He  obeyed  its  pre- 
cepts and  seized  upon  its  promises.  It  was  in  this  faith 
that  he  passed  from  time  to  eternity.  And  oh,  Mr.  Presi- 
dent, what  a  comfort  it  is  to  know  that  our  friends  die  in 
such  a  faith!  How  insignificant  human  greatness  becomes 
in  the  presence  of  death  or  any  great  manifestations  of 
divine  power! 

Man,  isolated  and  alone,  is  but  a  tiny  atom  in  the  created 
universe.  In  the  busy  bustle  of  life,  with  his  friends  and 
fellows  shouting  his  praise,  man  feels  his  importance  and 
his  power ;  bait  let  him  stand  out  alone  in  the  dread  dark- 
ness of  night,  when  the  heavens  are  black  and  angr)-  or 
when  the  earth  quakes  and  trembles,  and  then  how  utterly 
helpless  and  dependent  he  becomes!  It  is  in  such  times  as 
these,  as  well  as  in  the  still  more  trying  ordeal  when  he 
enters  alone,  as  he  must  do,  the  dark  valley  and  shadow  of 


88  .-IMrt'ss  of  Mr.  Jarz'is  of  Xorth  Carolina. 

death,  that  man  is  ready  to  acknowledge  his  nothingness 
and  to  cry  out  to  an  invisible  power  for  help. 

Oh,  what  a  blessing  it  is  in  an  hour  like  that  to  feel  that 
He  who  created  the  worlds  and  controls  all  the  forces  of 
nature  has  us  in  His  keeping,  and,  like  a  loving  father, 
doth  care  for  us  and  guide  us!  Our  dead  friend  had  that 
blessing.  While  in  the  sunshine  and  vigor  of  life  he  com- 
plied with  the  conditions  set  out  in  the  Bible  upon  which 
he  could  have  the  love  and  companionship  of  his  Heavenly 
Father  when  the  storm  came  and  Death  claimed  him  as  his 
own.  Shall  we  see  him  again?  May  God  in  His  infinite 
merc\'  receive  us  with  him  into  His  Kingdom  above. 

Mr.  Ransom.  Mr.  President,  I  beg  leave  to  state  that 
it  was  the  desire  and  purpose  of  the  Senator  from  Connect- 
icut [Mr.  Hawle>-]  and  the  Senator  from  Virginia  [Mr. 
Daniel]  to  speak  in  affectionate  remembrance  and  honor 
of  Senator  V.a.nce,  but  they  were  both  called  away  un- 
avoidably and  could  not  be  here. 

Mr.  Harris  (Mr.  Butler  in  the  chair).  As  a  further 
mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased,  I  move 
that  the  Senate  adjourn. 

The  motion  was  unanimously  agreed  to ;  and  the  Senate 
adjourned  until  Monday,  January  21,  1895,  at  12  o'clock  m. 


-   Proceedings  in  the  House. 

April  i6,  1894. 

The  House  met  at  12  o'clock  m.     The  Chaplain,  Rev. 
E.  B.  Bagby,  made  the  following  prayer: 

O  Thou  Great  Disposer  of  all  human  events,  with 
whom  are  the  issues  of  life  and  death,  bow  down  Thine 
ear  and  hear  our  supplications.  We  bring  to  Thee  our 
hearts,  tender  with  sympathy  for  the  sorrows  of  those  who 
mourn.  How  often  of  late,  O  Lord,  have  our  ranks  been 
broken,  and  men  in  high  places  of  authority  and  dear  to 
the  hearts  of  the  people  have  been  called  hence  to  give  an 
account  of  their  stewardship ;  and  Death,  with  equal  foot- 
step, is  knocking  at  the  palace  of  the  rich  and  the  humble 
cot  of  the  poor ;  and  so  Thou  art  teaching  us  the  shortness 
and  uncertaint}-  of  human  life.  May  we  fix  our  affections 
upon  things  above  and  not  upon  things  on  the  earth  ;  and 
as  our  bodies  are  frail  and  as  our  days  are  few  may  we  live 
as  if  there  were  but  a  step  between  us  and  death.  And 
when  the  end  comes,  O  Lord,  may  we  lie  down  in  peace  to 
sleep,  and  upon  the  morning  of  the  resurrection  may  we 
awake  in  the  light  of  Thy  love  and  the  joy  of  Thy  pres- 
ence and  live  with  Thee  forever,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


89 


go 


Procci'diito-s  in  the  House. 


A  message  from  the  Senate,  by  Mr.  Piatt,  one  of  its 
clerks,  announced  that  the  Senate  had  passed  the  follo\ving 
resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  the  Senate  has  heard  with  great  sorrow  of  the  death  of  the 
Hon.  ZEBfLON  B.  V.\NXE,  late  a  Senator  from  the  State  of  North  Carolina. 

Resolved.  That  a  committee  of  nine  Senators  be  appointed  by  the  Vice-Presi- 
dent to  take  order  for  superintending  the  funeral  of  Mr.  V.ANXE,  which  will  take 
place  to-day  in  the  Senate  Chamber,  at  4  o'clock  p.  m.,  and  that  the  Senate  will 
attend  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  as  a  further  mark  of  respect  entertained  by  the  Senate  for  his 
memory,  his  remains  be  removed  from  Washington  to  North  Carolina  in  charge 
of  the  Sergeant-at-Arms,  and  attended  by  the  committee,  who  shall  have  ful' 
power  to  carry  this  resolution  into  effect. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  communicate  these  proceedings  to  the  House  of 
Representatives,  and  invite  the  House  of  Representatives  to  attend  the  funeral 
to-dav,  Monday,  at  4  o'clock  p.  m.,  and  to  appoint  a  committee  to  act  with  the 
committee  of  the  Senate. 

The  message  also  announced  that  in  compliance  with  the 
foregoing  the  Vice-President  had  appointed  as  said  com- 
mittee Mr.  Ransom,  Mr.  George,  INIr.  Gray,  Mr.  Blackburn, 
Mr.  Coke,  Mr.  Chandler,  Mr.  Dubois,  Mr.  White,  and  :\Ir. 
Manderson. 

The  Speaker.  The  Clerk  will  report  the  resolutions  of 
the  Senate. 

The  Clerk  read  the  resolutions,  as  set  forth  in  the  abo\-e 
message. 

Mr.  Henderson  of  North  Carolina.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  offer 
the  resolutions  which  I  send  to  the  Clerk's  desk. 

The  Clerk  read  as  follows  : 

Resolved,  That  the  House  has  heard  with  profound  sorrow  tlie  announcement 
of  the  death  of  Hon.  Zebui.on  B.mrd  V.\Nf-i;.  late  a  Senator  from  the  State  of 
North  Carolina. 

Resolved,  That  the  .Speaker  of  the  House  appoint  a  committee  of  nine  mem- 
bers, to  act  in  conjunction  witli  tlie  committee  appointed  by  the  Senate,  to  make 
the  necessary  arrangements  and  to  accompany  the  remains  to  the  place  of  burial. 

Resolved,  That  the  House  accept  the  invitation  of  the  Senate  to  attend  the 
funeral  this  afternoon  at  4  o'clock. 


Proceedings  in  the  House.  91 

Resolved,  That  a  recess  be  now  taken  until  3.45  p.  m.,  at  which  hour  the 
House  will  proceed  in  a  body  to  the  Senate  Chamber  to  attend  the  funeral,  and  at 
the  conclusion  thereof,  on  return  to  its  Chamber,  the  Speaker,  as  a  further  mark 
of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased,  shall  declare  the  House  adjourned. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  of  the  House  notify  the  Senate  of  the  action  of  the 
House. 

ANNOUNCEMENT   OF   DEATH. 

Mr.  Henderson  of  North  Carolina.  'Mr.  Speaker,  Zeb- 
ULON  Baird  Vance,  having  finished  his  course  on  earth, 
now  rests  from  his  labors  in  a  better  world.  After  having 
done  much  good  in  his  generation,  he  has  been  gathered 
unto  his  fathers,  and  his  lot  will  no  longer  be  cast  in  this 
vale  of  misery  and  tears. 

Mr.  Speaker,  Zebulon  Baird  Vance  was  a  very  great 
man,  and  was  exceedingly  beloved  by  the  people  of  North 
Carolina,  and  the  whole  State,  now  in  mourning  for  him, 
will  long  deeply  and  sincerely  lament  his  loss. 

This  is  not  the  time,  however,  for  commemorating  the 
virtues  and  services  of  the  departed.  At  some  time  in  the 
future  the  House  will  be  asked  to  set  apart  a  day  on  which 
the  friends  of  the  deceased  may  pay  proper  tribute  to  his 
individual  worth  and  to  his  long,  faithful,  and  distin- 
guished public  services.  On  this  solemn  and  mournful 
occasion  my  heart  overflows  with  kindly  feeling  and  ten- 
derness for  his  bereaved  widow  and  children,  and  for  all 
who  are  near  and  dear  to  them.  They  are  indeed  desolate 
and  oppressed.  In  this  sad  hour  of  their  trial  and  afflic- 
tion they  have  the  comforting  and  heartfelt  sympathy,  not 
only  of  the  people  of  North  Carolina,  but  of  the  whole 
Union. 

Mr.  Speaker,  I  move  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions 
which  have  been  read. 


92  Proceedings  in  tlie  House. 

The  resolutions  were  agreed  to;  and  the  Speaker  ap- 
pointed as  the  committee  on  the  part  of  the  House  Mr. 
Henderson  of  North  Carolina,  Mr.  Black  of  Illinois,  ^Ir. 
Alexander,  Mr.  Brookshire,  I\Ir.  Crawford,  Mr.  Daniels, 
IMr.  Strong,  Mr.  Blair,  and  Mr.  Houk. 

And  then,  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  resolu- 
tions, the  House  took  a  recess  until  3.45  o'clock  p.  m. 

The  recess  having  expired,  the  House,  at  3  o'clock  and 
45  minutes  p.  m.,  resumed  its  session. 

The  Speaker.  The  House  will  now  attend  the  funeral 
of  the  late  Senator  Vance  in  the  Senate  Chamber. 

The  House  then  proceeded  in  a  body  to  the  Senate 
Chamber.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  funeral  ceremonies 
the  House  returned. 

In  accordance  with  the  resolutions,  and  as  a  further 
mark  of  respect  to  the  dead  Senator,  the  Speaker  declared 
the  House  adjourned. 


MEMORIAL  ADDRESSES. 

February  23,  1895. 
The  Speaker.   The  Clerk  will  report  the  special  order. 
The  Clerk  read  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  Saturday,  the  23d  day  of  February  next,  beginning  at  3  o'clock 
p.  m.,  be  set  apart  for  eulogies  on  the  life  and  services  of  the  late  Zebulon  B. 
Van'ce,  late  a  Senator  from  the  State  of  North  Carolina. 

Mr.  Henderson  of  North  Carolina.   Mr.  Speaker,  I  offer 
the  resolutions  which  I  send  to  the  desk. 
The  resolutions  were  read,  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  the  business  of  the  House  be  now  suspended  that  opportunity 
may  be  given  for  tribute  to  the  memory  of  Hon.  Zebulon  B.  V.\n'ce,  late  a 
Senator  from  the  State  of  North  Carloina. 

Resolved,  That  as  a  further  mark  of  respect  to  the  mepiory  of  the  deceased,  and 
in  recognition  of  his  eminent  ability  and  illustrious  public  services,  the  House,  at 
the  conclusion  of  these  memorial  services,  shall  adjourn. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  communicate  these  resolutions  to  the  Senate. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  be  instructed  to  send  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  to 
the  family  of  the  deceased. 

The  resolutions  were  adopted. 

93 


94       Address  of  Mr.   Henderson  of  Xorth   Carolina. 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  HENDERSON  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Mr.  Speaker:  Zebulon  Baird  Vance  was  born  in  Bun- 
combe County,  N.  C,  May  13,  1830,  and  died  in  the  city 
of  Washington,  D.  C,  April  14,  1S94,  being  almost  sixty- 
four  years  old.  He  received  a  thorough  English  educa- 
tion. He  first  entered  Washington  College,  Tennessee, 
and  afterwards  went  to  the  University  of  North  Carolina, 
where  he  remained  one  year ;  studied  law,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  January,  1S52,  commencing  the 
practice  at  Asheville,  the  county  seat  of  his  native  countw 
In  the  same  year  he  was  elected  county  attorney  of  Bun- 
combe County ;  was  elected  a  member  of  the  State  house 
of  commons  in  1854 ;  was  elected  a  Representative  to  the 
Thirty-fifth  Congress  in  1858  as  a  State  Rights  American, 
succeeding  to  the  vacancy  created  by  the  resignation  of  the 
Hon.  Thomas  L.  Clingman  upon  the  latter' s  election  to 
the  United  States  Senate ;  was  also  a  Representati\-e  in  the 
Thirty-sixth  Congress. 

His  service  in  Congress  began  December  7,  1858,  and 
ended  March  3,  1S61.  He  entered  the  Confederate  army  as 
captain  in  May,  1861,  and  became  colonel  of  the  Twenty- 
sixth  Regiment  North  Carolina  Infantry  in  August,  1S61. 
He  was  elected  governor  of  North  Carolina  in  August, 
1862,  and  reelected  in  August,  1864.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  he  was  arrested  by  a  company  of  Federal  troops 
and  confined  in  the  Old  Capitol  Prison  for  a  few  weeks. 
Shortly  after  the  war  he  removed  to  Charlotte  and  entered 
u]Km  the  active  practice  of  the    law;    was  elected  to  the 


Life  and  Character  of  Zcbiilon  Baird  ]'ance.         95 

United  States  Senate  in  November,  1870,  bnt,  being 
denied  admission  upon  the  ground  that  his  political  dis- 
abilities had  not  been  removed,  he  resigned  in  January, 
1872.  In  the  same  year  he  was  again  the  Democratic 
nominee  for  United  States  Senator,  but  was  not  elected  by 
the  general  assembly  ;  was  elected  governor  of  North  Caro- 
lina for  the  tliird  time  in  1876,  and  in  January,  1879,  was 
elected  to  the  United  States  Senate  ;  was  reelected  in  Jan- 
uary, 1885,  and  again  reelected  in  January,  1891.  He  died 
in  peace  and  in  the  full  possession  of  all  his  faculties,  at 
his  residence  in  the  city  of  Washington,  1627  Massachu- 
setts avenue,  on  April  14,  1894. 

Of  him  it  may  be  said,  as  King  David  said  unto  his  serv- 
ants when  announcing  the  death  of  Abner: 

There  is       -^     *     ^     ^  great  man  fallen     *     *     *     in  Israel. 

He  was  indeed  great  intellectually  and  morally,  and  I  do 
not  believe  there  was  ever  a  time  during  the  whole  period 
of  his  career  when  he  was  not  conscious  of  his  own  great 
powers  and  qualities;  but  he  was  entirely  free  from  any 
peculiar  egotism  or  individual  self-esteem.  He  was  one 
of  the  most  lovable  of  men,  and  if  he  was  never  at  a  loss 
to  hold  decided  opinions  of  his  own  and  to  express  them 
clearly  and  courageously,  he  always  did  so  with  humility 
and  modesty.  He  had  a  giant's  strength,  but  the  softness, 
simplicity,  and  heart  of  a  child.  At  school  and  at  college 
he  was  recognized  by  teachers  and  students  alike  as  one 
who  had  the  promise  of  a  brilliant  future. 

He  was  a  ready,  humorous,  and  fluent  sj^eaker,  and  a 
bright  and  witty  conversationalist;  and  before  he  left  col- 
lege he  acquired  a  reputation  for  genius  and  originality. 
His  popularity  everywhere  and  at  all  times  was  a  matter  of 


g6        Address  of  Mr.   Henderson  of  Xorth   Carolina. 

course  and  something  phenomenal,  in  school,  in  college, 
in  the  legislature,  in  the  army,  as  governor  of  the  State,  as 
a  private  citizen,  and  in  Congress.  Like  the  Che\-alier 
Bayard,  he  may  be  said  to  have  been,  in  most  phases  of 
his  character,  a  man  "without  fear  and  without  reproach." 
Before  the  war  began  in  1861  he  had  served  one  term  in 
the  State  legislature  and  two  terms  in  the  United  States 
House  of  Representatives,  and  in  both  of  these  assemblies 
he  achieved  distinction  and  took  high  rank.  Although  a 
strong  believer  in  State  rights,  he  did  not  originally  favor 
the  withdrawal  of  the  Southern  States  from  the  Union. 

When  war  was  inevitable  he  cast  his  lot  with  his  State 
and  went  to  the  front  in  the  defense  of  the  people  of  North 
Carolina  and  of  the  Southern  States;  and  the  Confederate 
States  never  had  a  more  faithful  or  loyal  friend  and  sup- 
porter. It  was  not  his  fortune  to  serve  long  in  the  army, 
but  he  was  a  brave  officer  and  soldier,  and  at  the  battle  of 
Newbern  he  displayed  skill  and  capacity  as  an  officer  and 
was  conspicuous  for  his  gallantry  and  courageous  conduct 
on  the  field,  and  for  services  in  that  battle  he  was  highly 
commended  by  his  superiors  in  command. 

During  the  four  years  of  the  war — the  times  that  tried 
men's  souls — he  was  equal  to  every  occasion  and  emer- 
gency. Until  he  was  elected  governor  of  the  State  in 
1862  he  served  ih  the  field,  sharing  all  the  privations  of 
the  soldiers  of  his  command  with  the  same  endurance, 
courage,  and  patience  which  pertained  to  the  lot  of  the 
private  soldier  and  with  an  alacrity  and  hopefulness  born 
of  true  devotion  to  the  Confederate  cause.  As  governor  of 
the  State  he  showed  him.self  at  his  best,  and  no  American 
Commonwealth  during  the  exciting  and  troublous  period 


Lijc  and  Cliaraclcr  of  Zcbuloii   Baird   I  'ancc.         97 

of  the  war  liad  a  wiser,  more  successful,  or  more  capable 
executi\e.  He  built  up  aud  husbanded  in  a  reuiarkable 
and  most  skillful  wa>-  all  the  resources  of  the  vState.  No 
State  furnished  as  many  soldiers  in  proportion  to  popula- 
tion to  the  Confederate  cause  as  North  Carolina,  and  no 
soldiers  of  any  State  were  better,  braver,  or  more  patriotic. 
Governor  Vance  was  a  splendid  organizer.  His  block- 
ade runners  enabled  him  to  export  cotton  aud  other  prod- 
xicts  of  the  State  to  lyiverpool  and  other  European  ports 
and  to  receive  in  exchange  many  necessary  supplies  for  the 
use  of  the  soldiers  and  people  of  North  Carolina.  There 
was  dire  distress  in  the  State.  Not  only  was  there  suffer- 
ing among-  the  soldiers,  but  star\-ation  threatened  many  a 
household  at  home.  The  widows  and  orphans  were  pro- 
vided for,  and,  as  far  as  was  possible,  all  who  were  in  dis- 
tress. Governor  Vance  did  ever\'thing  in  his  power  to 
make  comfortable  provision  for  the  Federal  prisoners  con- 
lined  at  Salisbury.  In  ever)-  count>-  in  the  State  relief 
committees  were  organized  to  help  and  succor  the  poor  and 
needy.  The  noble  women  of  North  Carolina,  with  patri- 
otic devotion  and  genuine  enthusiasm,  responded  to  his 
ever>-  appeal.  They  ministered  to  the  necessities  of  the 
sick  and  suffering,  the  wounded  and  dying.  The}-  clothed 
and  fed  the  soldiers  of  the  army  and  the  destitute  at  home. 
If  doing  good  is  the  great  wa}-  of  enriching  character,  how 
great  must  their  reward  be!  Their  works  do  follow  them! 
These  good  and  lovely  women  did  not  expect  payment  in 
this  world  for  their  deeds  of  kindness  and  charity.  Their 
citizenship  and  reward  is  in  Heaven  beyond  the  skies! 
"Heaven-born  charity,"  it  has  been  beautifully  said,  "is 
the  sovereign  antidote  for  all  the  ills  of  womanhood." 

S  Mis  151 7 


98        Address  of  Mr.  Ihndcrson  of  North  Carolina. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  the  name  of  Vance  was  very 
dear  to  the  people  of  North  Carolina,  and  their  love  and 
esteem  for  him  continued  to  the  ver\-  last.  Alen,  women, 
and  children  all  admired  and  revered  him,  and  the  people 
of  the  State  gave  the  most  genuine  proofs  of  their  attach- 
ment and  love  for  him.  In  1876  they  elected  him  governor 
for  the  third  time,  and  the  general  assembly  four  times 
elected  him  United  States  Senator.  I  had  the  honor  and 
privilege,  as  a  member  of  the  State  senate,  to  vote  for  Go\-- 
ernor  Vance  for  United  States  Senator  at  the  time  of  his 
election  by  the  general  assembly  in  January,  1879. 

If  Senator  Vance  was  not  distinguished  as  a  lawyer  it 
was  because  he  did  not  practice  long  enough  to  build  up 
a  great  reputation,  but  he  was  certainly  an  accomplished 
forensic  speaker  and  a  splendid  advocate  at  the  bar.  Until 
after  he  entered  the  Senate  he  had  no  reputation  as  a  stu- 
dent. His  Senatorial  career  commenced  ^Marcli  4,  1879, 
and  thereafter  he  became  a  constant  and  faithful  student  of 
the  tariff,  of  finance,  and  other  economic  questions,  and  he 
wrote  and  spoke  much  on  all  these  subjects.  He  was  a 
good  writer  and  a  charming  speaker.  On  the  hustings  he 
liad  few  equals  anywhere,  and  in  the  Senate  he  was  alwa\s 
heard  with  attention  and  respect.  He  was  a  great  debater, 
and  had  an  easy  command  of  the  English  language.  At 
times  he  was  eloquent,  and  he  was  always  humorous, 
instructive,  and  entertaining.  He  had  an  interesting  and 
inexhaustible  fund  of  anecdote,  and  when  he  could  not 
demolish  his  antagonist  by  argument  he  effectiveh-  turned 
upon  him  the  weapons  of  irony,  iuvecti\'e,  and  ridicule. 
He  did  not  indulge  in  the  flowers  of  oratory,  but  very  few 
men  excelled  him  in  accuracy  of  speech  or  in  strength  of 
expression. 


Life  and  Cliciractcr  of  Zebuloii  Baii-d  I  'ancc.         90 

His  Senatorial  colleagues  admired  and  esteemed  jiim 
gTeatly;  and  the  tributes  recently  paid  to  his  memory  in 
the  other  House  are  marvels  of  eloquence  and  accuracy  of 
judgment,  and  indicate  a  ver>-  keen  insight  into  his  charac- 
ter. Senator  Blackburn,  of  Kentucky,  said  that  "never 
in  all  his  life  did  he  hear  the  virtues,  the  merits,  and  worth 
of  a  man  more  eloquenth-  portrayed,  more  fairly  and  truth- 
fully put"  than  by  Senator  Ransom  in  the  Senate.  Sena- 
tor V.\NCE  was  a  statesman  of  spotless  integrity,  and  no 
country  ever  had  a  truer  patriot.  He  was  the  friend  of 
education,  religion,  and  learning.  Among  his  contem- 
poraries he  held  a  foremost  rank  in  fame  and  merit.  He 
was  ever  the  friend  of  the  people,  especially  the  humble, 
the  needy,  and  the  oppressed. 

Like  Daniel  Webster,  he  believed  the  Government  of  the 
United  States  to  be  the  people's  Government,  made  for  the 
people,  made  by  the  people,  and  answerable  to  the  people. 
And  I  say  it  reverenth',  "The  common  people  heard  him 
gladly."  And  while  it  may  be  truthfully  said  of  him,  as 
has  been  said  of  another  great  man,  that  "he  was  abso- 
lutely without  fear,  as  he  was  above  self-seeking  and  cor- 
ruption," it  must  nevertheless  be  admitted  that  Senator 
Vance  was  sometimes  timid  when  he  found  the  wishes 
of  any  large  number  of  his  constituents  to  be  in  opposition 
to  his  own  views.  He  was  loath  to  oppose  a  great  popu- 
lar movement.  He  thought  the  popular  judgment  to  be 
oftener  right  than  wrong.  He  therefore  deferred  to  the 
wishes  of  the  people  until  he  was  convinced  that  they  were 
wrong.  He  considered  it  the  duty  of  every  public  man  to 
endeavor  "  to  keep  in  touch  with  the  people."  We  have  a 
great  country,  but  who  made  it  great  but  the  people? 
Trained  and  reared  in  another  school  of  politics,  Senator 


icx)      Address  of  Mr.  Henderson  of  North  Carol i>ia. 

Vance  became  by  clioice,  study,  and  conviction,  before  he 
reached  the  middle  of  life,  a  Jeffersonian  Democrat,  and 
thenceforward  he  adhered  to  and  upheld  with  ever-increas- 
ing-  sincerity  and  devotion  what  he  believed  to  be  the 
ancient  creeds  and  true  principles  of  the  Democratic  party. 
He  knew  he  was  not,  and  he  did  not  believe  auN-  man 
was,  great  enough  to  be  above  his  party.  He  lo\-ed  the 
applause  of  the  public  and  he  was  sincerely  grateful  for  the 
honors  that  the  people  showered  upon  him.  If  it  be  true — 
and  who  doubts  it? — that — 

The  heavenliest  lot  th.it  earthly  natures  know 
Is  to  be  affluent  in  gratitude — 

he  had  indeed  that  blessing,  for  no  man  appreciated  more 
or  felt  any  more  thankful  for  the  favors  of  the  people  than 
himself.  And  that  is  one  reason  wh}-  his  memory  is  so 
fragrant  and  his  name  so  full  of  good  cheer  to  the  people 
of  his  State,  who  loved  him  so  well.  Their  memor\-  and 
meditation  of  him  shall  indeed  be  sweet  ! 

Senator  Vance  was  truthful  and  sincere,  open  and  can- 
did to  friend  and  foe  alike.  He  knew  full  Avell  that  the 
people  in  trusting  him  did  so  because  they  had  the  utmost 
faith  and  confidence  in  his  integrity  and  uprightness,  and 
because  they  knew  that  the  principles  which  guided  him 
in  his  conduct  through  life  would  make  him  be  to  them 
a  sincere  and  trustworthy  counselor  and  friend.  1  can 
not  find  words  better  fitted  to  describe  vSenator  Vance'S 
character  than  in  the  following  extract  from  the  writings 
of  Dean  Stanley: 

Give  us  a  man,  young  or  oM,  liigh  i.r  low,  on  whom  we  know  we  can  thor- 
oughly depend — who  will  stand  linn  when  others  fail — the  friend,  faithful  ami 
true;  the  adviser,  honest  and  fearless;  the  adversary,  just  and  chivalnnis. 

Senator  V.\nce  was  twice  married.  When  a  },<)ung  man 
he  was  united  in  holy  matrimouy  to  Miss  Harriet  Newell 


Life  and  CJiaractcr  of  Zcbitlou  Paird  \  aiicc.       loi 

Espey,  of  North  Carolina,  a  lady  of  many  intellectual  gifts, 
of  intense  religious  faith  and  convictions,  a  lovely  Chris- 
tian character,  devouth'  given  to  all  good  works.  They 
lived  verv  happily  together.  Her  influence  over  her  hus- 
band was  remarkable  and  permanent.  They  had  four 
children,  all  sous,  three  of  whom  are  still  living.  Her 
name  is  written  in  the  book  of  life! 

Senator  V.^nxe  had  an  abiding  faith  and  a  genuine 
belief  in  the  truths  of  the  Christian  religion,  but  he  was 
not  the  slave  of  education  or  prejudice.  His  views  allowed 
for  a  wide  latitude  of  theological  opinion  and  individual 
liberty  and  tolerance.  It  is  hard  to  admit  the  world  inside 
a  sacred  precinct  of  the  heart.  The  little  tender  traits  of 
beauty,  which  we  can  not  always  expect  the  world  to 
appreciate,  are  usually  kept  back  and  withheld.  I  had  a 
conversation  with  him  a  number  of  years  ago  in  regard  to 
some  controverted  points  of  Christian  faith  and  practice. 
He  told  me  that  he  thought  all  Christians  of  whatever 
name  were  agreed  upon  the  essential  articles  and  creeds, 
and  that  too  much  stress  was  laid  upon  their  theological 
differences,  many  of  which  were  either  unimportant,  imma- 
terial, or  at  least  not  vital.  He  impressed  me  at  the  time 
as  one  who  had  universal  charit\-  and  tolerance  toward 
those  differing  from  him  in  religious  opinions.  He  would 
have  been  perfectly  consistent  in  saying  of  all  faithful 
Christian  people  : 

They  are  brothers  and  comrades ;  they  stand  side  liy  side. 
Their  faith  and  their  liope  is  the  same. 

It  is  reported  that  he  once  said  to  a  dear  friend  of  his : 
"You  believe  in  the  doctrine  of  falling  from  grace,  but 
never  fall;  while  I  do  not  believe  in  that  doctrine  and  am 
always  falling." 


I02      Address  of  Mr.  Henderson  of  North  Carolina. 

One  of  the  most  popular  and  brilliant  lectures  he  ever 
wrote  was  upon  "The  Scattered  Nation" — God's  ancient 
and  chosen  people.  He  delivered  it  many  times;  and  I 
suppose  that  no  other  Christian  man  in  America  was  ever 
as  much  loved  and  admired  by  the  children  of  Israel  as 
Senator  Vance.  They  gave  him  their  heart,  their  confi- 
dence and  friendship,  and  he  had  an  ever-ready  welcome  to 
their  homes.  The  name  of  Vance  is  exceedingly  precious 
to  every  Jew  and  is  a  household  word  in  every  Jewish  circle 
in  the  United  States. 

Senator  V.ance  was  not  without  his  faults.  He  was  sub- 
ject to  human  infirmities  and  frailties,  for  there  is  no  man, 
not  a  just  man  upon  earth,  that  doeth  good  and  sinneth 
not,  but  this  is  no  reason  why  his  friends  should  not  praise 
his  goodness  and  virtues  and  seek  to  follow  his  good 
example. 

"Whatsoever  a  man  soweth,  that  shall  he  also  reap." 

"If  he  sows  poppies,  he  will  get  gaudy  flowers;  but 
what  will  he  do  when  the  harvest  comes  and  he  is  hungry 
for  bread?" 

Senator  Vance  was  married,  in  June,  1880,  to  Mr.s.  Flor- 
ence Steele  Martin,  of  Kentucky,  a  lady  of  rare  personal 
attractions,  elegant  in  manners,  lively  and  brilliant  in  ctm- 
versation,  exceedingly  graceful,  attractive,  and  intelligent, 
with  literary  talents  and  tastes  of  a  high  order;  a  refined, 
devoutly  religious,  and  highly  cultured  womaji.  She  was 
to  her  husband  not  only  a  devoted,  dutiful  wife,  but  a 
faithful  friend  and  com])anion.  .She  was  the  solace  and 
comfort  of  his  declining  years.  One  of  the  best  women  1 
ever  knew — she  is  now  at  rest — once  told  me  that  to  know 
Mrs.  Vance  intimately  and  to  associate  with  her  often  in 
her  own  home  was  equal  to  a  liberal  education. 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebnloii  Baird  I'amc.       103 

Comparisons  are  said  to  be  odious,  and  I  will  not  under- 
take to  say  that  Senator  \'ance  was  greater  than  any  of 
his  contemporaries.  History-  will  do  him  justice  and  will 
faithfulh'  portray  his  character  and  life's  work.  His  name 
will  assuredh-  fill  an  enviable  space  on  the  historic  page  of 
his  State  and  country.  His  character  was  unique  and  origi- 
nal. He  was  a  man  of  genius,  with  extraordinary  abilities 
and  talents.  In  many  respects  he  was  without  a  peer.  No 
man  ever  lived  who  was  nearer  and  dearer  to  the  hearts  of 
the  people  of  North  Carolina.  He  was  taken  away  at  the 
very  moment  when  his  State  and  his  country  needed  him 
most,  and  when  he  might  have  been  expected  to  enter 
upon  a  greatly  enlarged  sphere  of  usefulness  and  honor. 
Mr.  Gladstone  had  been  elected  to  Parliament  before  Sena- 
tor Vance  was  born,  and  that  great  statesman  is  still  living, 
in  the  full  possession  of  all  his  powers  and  influence. 
What  a  reminder  of  the  shortness,  variableness,  and  uncer- 
tainty of  human  life!  None  of  us  can  be  made  to  realize 
this  suflSciently.  We  are  constantly  reminded,  and  espe- 
cially on  these  solemn  occasions,  that  ' '  man  that  is  born 
of  a  woman  hath  a  short  time  to  live,  and  is  full  of  misery," 
and  that  "  in  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death." 

Great  men  die,  the  land  mourns,  and  for  a  short  time 
death  is  a  reality  to  us;  but  we  go  on  in  our  course  as  if 
we  expected  an  exception  to  be  made  in  some  way  in  our 
own  favor.  Friends  die,  and,  in  a  certain  sense,  we  realize 
the  hollowness  of  all  things  earthly;  but  we  miconsciously 
ask  ourselves  whether  a  time  shall  really  come  when 
we  ourselves  must  join  the  innumerable  hosts  of  those 
who  live  beyond  the  grave.  Knowing  our  own  littleness 
and  weakness,  the  shortness  of  life  and  the  certainty  of 
death,  it  needs  no  argument  and  requires  no  effort  for  us  to 


I04      A/Mress  of  Mr.  Henderson  of  Xortli  Carolina. 

conclude  that  the  greatest  man  who  ever  lived  on  earth 
is  in  comparison  with  God  as  a  "vain  shadow,"  and  that 
"every  man  living  is  altogether  vanity."  A  great  French 
preacher  once  expressed  this  feeling  when  preaching  the 
fnneral  sermon  over  "the  Grand  Monarqne  of  France. " 
Looking  aronnd  the  church,  which  was  draped  in  black 
for  the  solemn  occasion,  and  then  down  on  the  corpse 
which  was  lying  in  state,  Massillon  commenced  his  ser- 
mon in  these  words:  "God  alone  is  great."  Eternity, 
then,  must  be  our  final  refuge  and  resting  place. 

O  great  Eternity ! 

Our  little  life  is  but  a  gust 
Which  bends  the  branches  of  thy  tree 

Anil  trails  its  blossoms  in  the  dust. 

We  must  therefore  learn  to  labor  now,  in  this  transitory 
life,  before  all  our  days  are  gone,  bearing  and  forbearing, 
doing  and  suffering,  for  when  a  "few  years  are  come," 
after  life's  short  journey  is  over  and  we  bring  our  years  to 
an  end,  we  "shall  sleep  a  perpetual  sleep,  and  not  wake" 
again  in  this  world. 

Ucalh  !  the  unknown  sea  of  rest !  Who  knows  what  hidden  harmonies  lie 
there  to  wrap  us  in  softness,  in  eternal  peace ;  and  in  death,  not  sooner  or  other 
wise,  all  the  hot  longings  of  the  soul  are  to  be  satisfied  and  stilled. 

God  alone  can  satify  the  desires  and  aspirations  of  the 
human  heart.  True  greatness,  then,  is  the  eternal  reward 
given  for  a  life  of  moral  and  spiritual  excellence. 

"O  God,"  says  Augustine,  "  Thou  hast  made  the  heart 
of  man  for  Thy.self,  and  it  is  restless  until  it  rests  in 
Thee." 

Senator  Vance  received  coimtless  tokens  of  good  will 
in  his  life  from  all  sorts  and  conditions  of  men.  Nearly 
everyone  who  knew  him  spoke  well  of  him,  and  his  friends 
rejoiced  to  have  it  so.      And    that    it  should   have  been  so 


Life  and  C/iaiactcr  of  Zcbiilon  F.aii-d  I  'aiicc.       105 

does  honor  to  those  who  gave  him  honor.  Neitlier  lie  nor 
his  friends  knew,  however,  liow  deep-seated  and  universal 
was  the  love  and  admiration  for  him  of  the  people  of  his 
native  State  until  after  death  had  laid  its  hand  upon  him. 
The  news  of  his  decease  was  received  everywhere  through- 
out the  State  of  North  Carolina  with  the  most  heartfelt 
expressions  of  sorrow  and  sj'mpathy.  The  whole  popu- 
lation, without  distinction  of  party,  race,  or  sect,  vied 
with  each  other  in  their  expressions  of  regret  for  his  death 
and  in  showing  respect  for  his  memory.  Women  and  chil- 
dren shed  tears,  and  strong  men  wept.  His  loss  is  an 
irreparable  one  to  his  family,  his  party,  and  his  State, 
and  his  name  will  ever  be  remembered  with  gratitude  and 
honor  by  the  people  of  his  State,  whom  he  served  so  well. 
Zebui^on  Baird  Vance  has  departed  hence  in  peace. 

All  untlaunted  he  dietl 
In  the  might  of  his  pride. 

May  we  not  humbly  hope  and  believe  that  he  is  now 
in  that  unseen  world  "where  the  spirits  and  souls  of 
the  faithful,  after  they  are  delivered  from  the  burden  of  the 
flesh,  are  in  joy  and  felicity  "  ? 

The  Lord  grant  unto  him  that  he  may  find  mercy  of  the 
Lord  in  the  last  great  day!  And  give  unto  him  eternal 
rest,  and  let  light  perpetual  shine  upon  him! 


io6  Address  of  Mr.  Hoidcrson  of  loiva. 


Address  of  Mr.  Henderson  of  Iowa. 

Mr.  Speaker:  As  one  who  was  in  the  Union  Army, 
standing  by  the  grave  of  one  who  was  in  the  Confeder- 
ate army,  I  approach  a  new  experience,  but  not  with  any 
hesitation  or  feelings  other  than  my  best  judgment  and 
my  whole  heart  can  commend,  and  I  bear  witness  to-day 
to  the  character  of  a  departed  statesman,  and,  though 
brief  and  limited  my  acquaintance,  I  can  truthfully  say,  a 
respected  and  honored  friend. 

I  find  pleasure,  as  I  study  the  life  of  the  departed  states^ 
man,  in  calling  attention  to  his  wonderful  power  as  his 
keen  vision  swept  over  the  horizon  when  he  stood  in  1861 
contemplating  the  future  of  his  countiy.  He  was  a  strong 
and  ardent  lover  of  this  Union,  and  here  let  me  quote  a 
distinguished  witness.  His  .own  colleague,  Senator  Ran- 
som, speaking  of  him  in  another  place  after  his  death, 
said : 

He  liad  always  been  opposed  to  the  secession  of  the  .Southern  .States,  did 
everything  possible  to  avert  it,  and  was  one  of  the  very  last  Southern  men  to 
declare  his  love  and  devotion  to  the  Union. 

I  will  not  content  myself  with  this  single  witness,  but 
will  quote  also,  on  the  same  theme,  the  venerable  and  ex- 
alted statesman,  Senator  Morrill.  They  served  together 
on  this  floor,  and  Senator  Morrill  .says: 

In  an  era  when  our  whole  country  appeared  to  be  rumbling  with  invisible 
earthquakes  and  hissing  with  the  or.atorical  skyrockets  of  secession,  he  served 
for  four  years,  or  until  1861,  and,  so  far  as  I  remember,  contributed  nolhing  to 
our  or  to  the  national  unpleasantness. 


Life  and  Character  of  Zcbulou  Baird  I'ancc.       107 

I  will  quote  still  another  clistin<juished  witness  on  tliis 
subject.     The  venerable  Senator  Sherman  says: 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  at  the  beginning  of  the  civil  war  Governor  Vance 
was  conspicuous  at  home,  as  well  as  here,  as  an  ardent,  outspoken  Union  man, 
but  he  also  loved  his  State  and  his  people  among  whom  he  liad  been  born  and 
bred,  and  when  they  were  swept  away  by  the  torrent  of  opinion  in  the  belief 
that  it  was  their  duty  to  secede  from  the  Union,  he  went  with  them. 

Looking  over  this  record  and  speaking  to-day  by  his 
freshly  made  grave,  I  would  not  occupy  the  mean  position 
of  being  generous;  I  only  ask  for  light  and  manliness  to 
be  just.  This  man  came  of  Revolutionary  blood.  The 
inspiration  that  followed  the  flag  of  Washington  never 
ceased  to  permeate  his  great  and  mighty  heart,  and  in 
1861  he  stood  like  a  bulwark  against  the  waves  that  were 
beating  against  his  countr\-.  Who  will  rise  and  criticise 
him  when  he  yielded  to  the  press  of  public  opinion  that 
was  around  him? 

He  can  not  be  a  just  man  who  will  not  fairly  interpret 
the  mental  conditions  then  existing  throughout  the  South, 
and  he  would  be  an  unwise  and  an  unjust  one  who  would 
condemn  the  impetuous  youth  who  finally  yielded  to  the 
wave  of  sentiment  and  enrolled  himself  under  the  flag  of 
secession.  But  through  that  whole  experience — for  he  was 
captain,  colonel,  and  governor  of  his  State  during  that 
period — lie  not  only  proved  himself  to  be  brave  and  able, 
but  his  big  heart  never  ceased  to  throb  for  his  fellow-man. 

Qualified  witnesses  tell  us  that  when  Union  i^risoners 
were  suffering  in  Salisbury  this  war  governor  of  North 
Carolina  appealed  to  the  Southern  Confederacy  to  send 
relief  to  those  prisoners,  and  when  that  appeal  was 
unheard  he  turned  to  the  citizens  of  his  own  State  and 
asked  North  Carolina  to  con:e  to  their  aid.     At  the  close 


io8  Address  of  Mr.   Hcndcrso)i  of  Imva. 

of  the  war,  that  wonderful  war,  Secretary  Stanton  sent 
orders  to  the  general  commanding  North  Carolina  to  arrest 
Governor  Vance  and  bring  him  to  Washington,  with  all 
his  papers.  It  was  done.  Copy  books  containing  every 
letter  he  had  written  as  governor  during  the  war  were 
spread  before  the  great  Stanton,  one  whose  heart  did  not 
quiver  when  duty  called  him  to  be  severe.  The  record 
was  examined,  and  here  is  the  testimony  which  I  present 
upon  the  authority  of  Senator  Blackburn : 

When  he  did  read  that  record  and  saw  what  this  man  had  done,  how  persistent 
his  efforts  had  been  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  the  Federal  prisoners  and  to 
assuage  the  horrors  of  war,  that  great  Secretary  said  to  him  :  "  Upon  your  record 
you  stand  acquitted ;  you  are  at  liberty  to  go  where  you  please." 

It  is  an  honor  to  point  with  a  few  brief  words  this  lesson 
to  my  fellow-countrymen.  He  had  that  greatness  which 
can  not  be  dimmed  by  any  clouds  or  any  revolutions. 

He  was  a  great  orator.  But,  ]Mr.  Speaker,  his  greatest 
oratorical  power  spoke  through  his  gentle  and  noble  life. 
In  his  pathway  as  a  public  man  and  as  a  citizen  he  deliv- 
ered orations  which,  in  House  or  Senate,  his  lips  never 
equaled.  As  an  orator  he  had  the  wonderful  gift  of  mak- 
ing everything  that  he  spoke  of  so  plain  and  simple  that 
all  around  him  understood  every  thought.  He  did  not 
send  his  thoughts  above  the  masses  who  listened  to  him. 
He  had  the  genius  of  Lincoln  in  that  regard,  of  simplify- 
ing. .\nd  so  it  was  in  his  life  and  conduct  with  his  fellow- 
men.  He  was  so  approachable  that  he  was  constantly  in 
close  contact  with  the  mas.ses  and  drew  the  inspirations 
which  alone  can  come  from  what  Mr.  Lincoln  called  "the 
common  people."  No  man  feared  to  approach  Senator 
V.\N"CK  with  his  troubles  or  his  joys  or  his  ambitions,  and 
he  listened  to  them  all  so  attcntivelv  and  kindlv  that  he 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebu  Ion  Baird  I'aiice.       109 

arrived  at  the  full  status  of  the  man's  mind  and  affairs, 
and  was  thus  equipped  to  serve  him. 

Promotion  never  warped  his  genius  or  destroyed  his 
power.  Ah !  how  often  do  we  see  a  man  in  private  life 
free  and  easy  with  his  fellow-man,  stopping  to  speak  with 
the  man  carrying  the  dinner  pail  or  with  the  humblest 
citizen,  laughing  and  talking  and  shaking  hands  as  one 
of  the  people,  and  then,  when  subsequently  promoted  to 
power,  he  buttons  up  his  coat,  wears  a  "heaven-erected 
face,"  as  Burns  would  ptit  it,  and  fancies  that  God  has 
dropped  a  peculiar  ointment  upon  him  to  lift  him  and 
make  him  better  than  his  fellow-men. 

These  men  fail  in  their  usefulness  in  public  life.  They 
do  not  hear  the  heart  beat  or  the  sigh  of  sorrow.  This 
distinguished  man  never  made  that  mistake.  In  his  every- 
day walks  of  life  he  was  as  simple  as  a  Senator  as  he  was 
as  a  private  citizen  or  a  member  of  his  State  legislature. 

He  was  a  wit.  He  carried  that  sharp  and  dangerous 
blade;  but  he  seldom  unsheathed  it,  indulging  rather  in 
the  warm  glow  of  hirmor  which  turns  even  enemies  into 
friends. 

I  met  him  first,  to  take  his  hand,  when  we  were  attend- 
ing a  meeting  of  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution  in  this  city. 
And  when  he  sat  down,  after  describing  and  eloquently 
touching  on  some  of  the  scenes  of  the  past,  he  sat  down 
with  me  as  his  brother  and  his  friend.  The  thought 
flashed  through  my  mind,  if  this  was  a  Confederate  soldier 
the  Confederacy  is  truly  gone,  and  we  are  sure  of  a  perma- 
nent, loved,  and  indissoluble  Union. 

He  was  brave,  honest,  kind,  true;  and  above  all  he  was 
faithful  to  his  friends.     He  did  not  accept  the  hard  toil 


no  Add}-css  of  Mr.  Henderson  of  Iowa. 

and  devotion  of  friends,  and  then,  when  elevated  to  power, 
seek  to  dicker  witli  liis  enemies  at  tlie  expense  of  his 
friends.  He  was  true  to  friendship,  and  at  the  same  time 
true  to  his  highest  duty  as  a  public  man. 

Weighted  not  with  years,  but  with  many  honors,  cares, 
and  duties  well  done,  he  has  passed  away.  No  noble  heart 
rejoices  over  this  grave,  but  sorrow  springs  up  in  every 
generous  soul  because  this  great  and  good  man  has  passed 
from  our  midst. 


Life  and  Character  of  Zcbitlo>i  Baird   I'aucc.        iii 


Address  of  Mr.  Hooker  of  Mississippi. 

Mr.  Speaker:  It  was  my  privilege,  and  my  honor  too, 
to  call  Senator  Vanck  my  friend  and  to  know  him  with 
a  great  deal  of  intimacy,  springing  up  during  our  Con- 
gressional services.  And  while  I  have  not  written  an  ad- 
dress for  this  occasion,  I  was  gratified  when  one  of  the 
members  of  the  North  Carolina  delegation  came  to  me 
and  said  thev  desired  that  I  should  sav  somethine  on  this 
occasion. 

It  has  become  a  thing  almost  to  be  regretted  that  eulo- 
gies upon  members  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
whether  they  belong  to  the  Senate  or  the  House,  are 
not  delivered  immediately  after  the  demise  of  the  mem- 
ber; but  as  they  are  designed  rather  for  posterit\-  than  for 
ourselves,  and  to  put  upon  record  a  lasting  impression  of 
the  opinions  of  those  who  have  served  with  the  deceased, 
and  to  commit  to  the  printing  press  the  power  of  perpetu- 
ating that  record  forever,  it  is  probably  not  altogether 
improper  that  some  time  and  some  reflection  should  be 
given  to  what  is  to  be  said.  So,  as  I  am  prompted  rather 
by  my  heart  than  my  head  to  speak  on  this  occasion  in 
memory  of  the  friend  whom  I  so  honored  while  he  lived, 
and  whom  the  country  so  honored  while  he  lived,  I  must 
apologize  for  the  want  of  that  thorough  presentation  of 
Senator  Vance's  historical  record  which  will  come  more 
appropriately  from  the  members  from  his  own  loved  State 
of  North  Carolina. 


112  Address  of  Mr.  Hooker  of  Afississippi. 

Senator  \'axce  was  born  in  Buncombe  County,  X.  C, 
on  the  13th  of  May,  1830.  He  was  born  in  a  region  of 
country  marked  for  its  geographical  beauty,  its  magnifi- 
cence, and  its  sublimity.  It  borders  upon  ni)'  own  native 
State  of  South  Carolina  ;  and  of  all  the  mountain  scenery 
of  our  cotintry,  whether  in  the  Blue  Ridge,  or  the  Alle- 
ofhanies,  or  the  Rockies,  or  the  Sierra  Nevada  looking  out 
upon  the  Pacific,  there  is  no  sublimer  scenery  in  our  land 
than  that  in  the  midst  of  which  Zebulon  B.  \'axce  was 
born.  I  have  always  held  to  the  idea  that  men  partake 
somewhat  of  the  region  of  country  in  which  their  e\'es 
first  look  upon  the  light  ;  and  those  of  us  who  have  seen 
that  beautiful  countr\'  and  stood  in  its  valleys  witli  car- 
pets made  by  the  hand  of  the  Master,  and  have  looked  up 
into  those  lofty  mountains,  sometimes  glassed  in  sun- 
shine, sometimes  covered  with  shadow,  and  sometimes  the 
home  of  the  storm  god,  will  cease  to  wonder  that  a  land  so 
favored  b\-  nature  should  have  produced  heroes  among  her 
men  and  heroines  among  her  women. 

It  is  of  all  favored  portions  of  our  country  probably  the 
grandest  and  most  beautiful.  And  it  was  here,  amidst  that 
rural  population,  that  \'.\N'CE  was  reared  and  took  his 
first  imjiressions.  He  grew  up  amongst  a  simple-hearted 
Scotch  and  Irish  ancestry,  who,  coming  to  this  country, 
found  the  quiet  nooks  of  the  mountains  analogous  to  their 
own  native  soil,  and  therefore  made  in  that  region  their 
settlement.  He  grew  up  witli  that  wonderful  veneration 
for  the  DivinitN'  which  belongs  to  those  Scotch-Irish  peo- 
ple. Simple  in  their  habits,  unostentatious  in  their  man- 
ners, the\'  grew  up  amidst  those  mountains,  cherishing  the 
virtues  of  the  countr}'  froni  which  tl  ey  came  and  lending 


Life  and  Omractcr  of  Zebu  Ion  Baird  J 'mice.       113 

a  hand  promptly  in  the  Revolutionary  war  to  give  perma- 
nency to  the  liberties  of  their  people.  When  that  war 
closed  a  material  development  as  remarkable  as  that  of  the 
countries  from  which  they  came  marked  the  regions  of 
North  Carolina  in  which  his  Revolutionary  ancestry  lived. 

Senator  \'ance  was  early  distinguished  in  the  history 
of  his  own  State,  being  elected  twice  to  its  legislature  and 
twice  to  this  House  before  the  war,  and  after  the  war  he 
was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  vStates  in  1S70. 
He  came  here  at  that  time  ;  but,  unfortunately  for  him, 
what  were  called  his  "civil  disabilities"  had  not  been 
removed  by  an  act  of  Congress  of  the  United  States,  and 
he  was  therefore  denied  admission  to  his  seat  as  a  Senator. 
He  returned  to  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  and,  thinking 
it  probable  that  he  might  not  be  admitted  to  his  seat,  he 
resigned  his  commission  as  a  United  States  Senator  in 
1872,  and  went  back  to  live  among  the  people  whom  he 
loved  so  well  and  who  were  so  delighted  to  honor  him. 
But  it  was  not  the  fate  of  such  a  man,  with  such  a  mind 
and  heart,  to  be  left  to  follow  the  quiet  walks  of  private 
life. 

He  was  soon  again  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  his  civil  disabilities  having  been  in  the  meantime 
removed,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Senate.  When  he 
took  his  position  in  that  body  as  a  Senator  there  were 
giants  there — men  of  great  minds,  of  long  and  large  ex- 
perience. Yet  this  gifted  son  of  North  Carolina  took  his 
place  from  the  first  in  the  front  rank  of  the  debaters  of 
that  great  debating  body  of  the  world.  His  distinguished 
abilities  being  promptly  recognized,  he  was  assigned  to 
important  committees  ;    and    he  performed    his  Senatorial 

S  Mis  151 S 


1 14  .Iddrcss  of  ^fr.  Hooker  of  J/ississippi. 

functions  in  such  a  way  as  to  challenge  the  admiration  of 
his  associates  on  all  sides  of  that  Chamber. 

It  was  gratifying  to  me,  in  looking  over  the  record  of 
his  obsequies  in  that  bod}-,  to  find  that  it  was  not  alone 
from  his  own  people  that  he  received  words  of  commenda- 
tion. His  gifted  colleague,  that  man  of  splendid  talent 
and  magnificent  oratory,  that  chevalier  of  the  South, 
whether  on  the  field  of  battle  or  in  the  halls  of  Congress — 
his  gifted  colleague,  Senator  Ransom,  said  one  thing  of 
him  which  almost  summarized  the  history  of  his  life.  In 
delivering  the  eulogy  upon  his  gifted  colleague  Senator 
Ransom  said: 

He  was  Ijuld,  brave,  open,  candid,  and  without  reserve.  He  desired  all  the 
world  to  know  his  opinions  and  positions,  and  never  hesitated  to  avow  them. 

Alongside  of  him  sat  that  able  and  venerable  Senator 
from  \'ermont,  Justin  S.  ]\Iorrill,  the  oldest  surviving 
Senator  of  the  United  States  when  I  first  came  to  Con- 
gress and  the  oldest  living  Senator  now.  His  tribute  was 
magnificent.  Side  by  side  with  him  there  sat  that  splendid 
statesman  of  intellect  and  thorough  knowledge  of  politi- 
cal questions,  of  astute  powers  of  investigation,  who  him- 
self had  made  a  great  name  for  himself,  John  Sherman, 
the  senior  Senator  from  Ohio,  who  delivered  a  eulogy  on 
that  occasion  of  which  any  man  or  an\-  State  might  well 
be  proud.  I  mention  these,  'Sir.  Speaker,  because  of  the 
differences  of  political  opinion  existing  between  them  and 
the  deceased  Senator. 

Senator  Vanck  was  again  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the 
United  States,  as  I  have  said,  and  died  while  occupying  the 
honored  position  t(.)  which  his  people  delighted  to  assign 
him.      It  has  been  remarked  by   my   distinguished   friend 


Life  and  Character  of  Zchitloii   /laird   J'aiice.        115 

from  Iowa  [;\Ir.  Henderson],  who  has  just  addressed  the 
House  in  commemoration  of  Senator  Vance,  that  he  was 
a  Union  man  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war  and  was  opposed 
to  the  secession  of  the  States.  That,  ^Ir.  Speaker,  is  true. 
He  took  his  position  in  the  early  discussions  of  this  ques- 
tion side  by  side  with  such  men  as  William  L.  Sharkey,  of 
my  own  State,  who  opposed  secession  because  he  believed 
that  the  differences  between  the  States  could  be  better  set- 
tled by  arbitration,  by  prudence,  by  judgment,  and  h\-  for- 
bearance rather  than  by  resorting  to  the  last  great  final 
arbiter  among  men,  the  sword.  And  he  defended  that  posi- 
tion with  an  earnestness  and  zeaU  and  truthfulness — for 
he  always  avowed  what  he  thought  fearlessly — that  the 
remedies  of  the  Southern  States  and  the  Southern  people 
were  within  the  Union  and  under  the  Constitution.  But 
when  his  State  of  North  Carolina  seceded  from  the  Union, 
believing  his  dut>-  was  to  go  with  her,  with  that  patriotism 
and  devotion  to  his  people  which  always  characterized 
him,  he  at  once  raised  a  company  of  troops,  was  elected  as 
captain,  and  within  a  short  time  afterwards  was  chosen 
colonel  of  the  Twent\--sixth  Regiment  of  North  Carolina 
troops.  On  every  field  of  battle  where  he  was  present  he 
earned  for  himself  the  reputation  not  only  of  a  sagacious, 
intelligent,  and  brave  soldier,  but  the  character  of  one  who 
knew  how  to  care  for  the  troops  under  his  command. 

But  he  was  a  man  of  too  large  ability  in  civil  life  to  be 
permitted  to  spend  his  time  during  the  war  in  battle,  and 
it  was  during  the  war  that  he  was  elected  governor  of  his 
own  State  of  North  Carolina,  and  elected  a  second  tiuie 
while  the  war  was  still  progressing;  and  it  was  in  this 
capacity   that    his   great   executive   ability  and    wonderful 


ii6  Address  of  Mr.  Hooker  of  Mississippi. 

devotion  to  the  troops  that  entered  the  service  of  the  Con- 
federacy were  manifested.  When  he  had  called  again  and 
again  upon  the  Confederate  Government  for  arms  and 
snpplies,  food  and  clothing,  to  snpph-  the  troops  that  he 
had  called  out  in  the  field  from  hi.s  own  State  and  b}-  his 
ovv'n  proclamations,  and  found  he  could  not  rely  upon 
them  to  furnish  those  things  so  necessary  for  their  comfort, 
he  equipped  a  small  fleet  of  vessels,  sent  them  down  the 
river,  out  into  the  ocean  and  to  the  river  Clyde,  and  there 
procured  a  suitable  outfit  for  the  Confederate  troops  from 
the  State  of  North  Carolina. 

That  flotilla  of  small  vessels  came  back,  and,  success- 
fully running  the  blockade  of  the  Federal  ships,  not  only- 
provided  for  the  wants  of  the  North  Carolina  troops,  but 
many  of  the  other  troops  in  the  service  of  the  Confederacy, 
thus  showing  that  he  felt  it  to  be  his  duty,  after  he  called 
the  men  into  active  service,  to  see  that  they  were  not  only 
properlv  armed  and  equipped,  but  properh-  fed  and  clothed 
as  well. 

It  was  in  this  capacity,  Air.  Speaker,  that  he  won  for 
himself  the  title  which  has  been  yielded  to  no  other  man 
in  the  history  of  the  Confederacy,  that  he  was  the  "war 
governor"  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  and  not  only 
the  war  governor  of  that  State,  but  the  great  war  governor 
of  the  South.  He  served  in  this  capacit\-  three  times,  and 
was  tlience  transferred  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States, 
as  I  have  already  said.  When  any  question  came  up  for 
discussion  in  that  body,  and  usually  no  question  referring 
to  the  subject  of  taxation  and  the  tariff  laws  was  pre- 
sented that  he  did  not  speak  tipon,  he  evinced  a  clearness 
of  thought,  a  soundness  of  judgment,  ami  a  thoroughness 


Life  and  CJiaracfcr  of  Zehulon   Baird   I'aiicc.        117 

of  investigation  that  challenged  admiration  on  all  sides  of 
the  Chamber. 

His  character  was  distinguished  from  the  very  start  in 
his  public  life,  and  it  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  there  was  no 
error  at  an>'  time  committed  by  him  that  the  historian  can 
point  to  in  his  career  as  a  governor,  as  a  Senator,  as  a  sol- 
dier, or  as  a  citizen.  As  a  governor  he  was  without  a 
peer;  as  a  citizen  no  one  stood  higher  than  he,  and  as  a 
soldier  he  won  great  fame  and  honor  on  the  battlefield. 
But  it  was  in  the  walks  of  private  life  that  the  character 
of  the  man  shone  most  brightly.  First  he  was  wedded  to 
a  lady  of  his  own  State,  and  his  children  survive  him  to 
receive  the  rich  heritage  of  the  high  reputation  of  charac- 
ter and  honor  won  for  himself  in  every  avocation  of  life. 

After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  in  later  life  he  married 
a  lady  with  whom  the  citizens  of  Washington  and  people 
who  come  here  from  every  portion  of  the  country  are  not 
unfamiliar.  She  was  the  solace  of  his  life  from  the  time 
of  his  marriage  until  he  passed  away.  She  has  been  the 
ornament  of  the  society  in  which  he  dwelt  and  moved 
during  his  lifetime.  She,  too,  survives  him.  But  in  all 
the  acts  he  has  done,  v/hether  in  the  field  or  as  the  execu- 
tive of  the  State  of  North  Carolina  or  as  the  well- 
equipped  Senator  from  one  of  the  sovereign  States  of  the 
Union,  coming  as  its  ambassador  to  the  halls  of  Congress 
to  speak  its  sentiments,  whatever  position  he  filled,  he  has 
won  fame,  honor,  and  the  good  will  of  all  men  who  held 
rank  with  him.  Justly  may  his  State  and  family  be  proud 
of  the  heritage  they  have  received  from  his  hands.  In  no 
position  did  he  fail  to  discharge  his  duty  to  his  country, 
to  his  fellow-citizens,  and  to  the  God  whom  he  revered. 


ii8  Address  of  Mr.  Hooker  of  Mississippi. 

It  is  said  that  one  of  the  most  remarkable  discourses  he 
ever  delivered  was  in  a  lecture  where  he  paid  a  wonderful 
tribute  to  that  great  nation  of  Israelites,  who  in  modern 
times  it  has  been  the  custom  to  speak  of  in  such  terms 
of  disparagement.  Speaking  of  the  scattered  nations,  he 
depicts  that  great  nation  that  had  Isaiah  for  its  poet  and 
the  j\Iaccabees  for  generals.  He  might  well  have  said  of 
it  that  there  were  no  people  more  remarkable  than  that 
wonderful  nation. 

He  delivered  many  other  lectures,  and  at  last,  in  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States,  he  consecrated  his  services  to 
his  country  by  leaving  in  every  speech  that  he  made  speci- 
mens of  orator}',  of  humor,  of  wit.  He  seldom  indulged 
in  sarcasm,  because  he  had  too  much  heart  for  it,  but  he 
has  left  prominently  upon  the  records  of  the  Senate  speci- 
mens of  orator\-,  of  humor,  of  wit  that  will  make  him 
rank  with  the  greatest  men  of  the  olden  times.  He  will 
take  his  position  in  line  with  the  great  men  from  his  own 
State — and  they  have  been  great — from  the  earliest  da\s. 
He  will  take  his  position  side  by  side  with  that  venerable 
trio  that  passed  awa\-  long  ago,  of  whom  we  are  in  the 
habit  of  speaking  when  the  Senate  is  named,  Calhoun, 
Clay,  and  Webster.  He  will  take  his  position  as  one  of  the 
ereat  orators  and  statesmen  of  the  land  in  which  he  lived. 

From  his  earliest  service  to  his  country,  when  he  was 
first  put  into  public  position  as  governor,  from  the  time  he 
was  first  attorney  of  one  of  the  districts  of  the  State  of 
North  Carolina,  down  to  the  time  when  he  finally  closed 
his  eyes,  every  act  of  his  life,  every  thought  of  his  mind, 
every  conception  of  his  heart,  was  for  his  country  and  his 
whole  country.       He    might   well    bo    pardoned   if,   in   the 


Life  and  Cliaractcr  of  Zcbulon  Bairci  Vance.       119 

closing  hours  of  his  life,  looking  back  to  the  memorable 
events  in  which  he  had  been  so  prominent  an  actor,  he 
had  imitated  the  modesty  of  the  great  poet  of  the  olden 
davs  who,  when  he  contemplated  the  wonderful  epic  of  his 
own  production,  exclaimed  in  its  closing  lines,  as  Vaxce 
could  have  exclaimed  in  his  closing  hours: 

Jamque  opus  exegi,  quod  nee  Jovis  ira,  nee  ignis, 
Nee  poterit  ferrum,  nee  edax  abolere  vetustas. 


I20  Address  of  Mr.  Daniels  of  New  York. 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  Daniels. 

Mr.  Speaker:  I  take  part  with  the  gentlemen  who  have 
been  assigned  to  express  their  tribute  of  regard  for  the  life 
and  memory  of  this  distinguished  man  from  the  circum- 
stance that  I  was  one  of  those  who  were  selected  on  the 
part  of  the  House  to  carry  his  remains  to  their  last  and 
final  resting  place.  During  early  life,  however,  my  atten- 
tion had  been  called  to  the  character  and  career  of  Mr. 
Vance.  He  soon  rose  upon  the  political  and  national 
horizon  so  high  as  to  attract  the  attention  and  respect  of 
the  country.  A  public  career  was  before  him  which  was 
improved  by  his  abilities  and  his  fidelity  to  his  country's 
interests  that  continued  him  in  public  life  and  the  service 
of  his  State.  He  soon  became  known  to  the  Union  and  to 
all  the  localities  in  which  patriotism  and  abilit>'  were  held 
in  respect  and  esteem  ;  and  he  was  known  to  be  a  man 
who  in  all  the  walks  of  public  life  certainh"  fulfilled  the 
expectations  of  his  State  and  of  his  countr\-. 

But  one  period  arose  which  subjected  him  in  aiu-  respect 
to  criticism,  and  that  has  been  referred  to  upon  this  occa- 
sion by  other  gentlemen  addressing  the  House.  That  was 
the  part  which  he  took  in  the  conflict  that  was  brought 
on  between  the  people  of  the  different  sections  of  the  coun- 
try in  their  struggle,  as  it  finally  turned  out,  either  for  the 
maintenance  or  the  overthrow  of  the  system  of  human  slav- 
ery. It  was  considered,  in  a  large  section  of  the  countr>', 
to  be  entirely  incompatible  with   the   free  system  of  our 


Lite  and  Cliaractcr  of  Zebu  Ion   Baird   I 'a  nee.        121 

Government,  wliile  on  the  other  hand  it  was  regarded  and 
maintained  as  a  peculiar  institution  of  the  other  section. 
But  it  had  become  oppressive  there,  as  well  as  the  subject 
of  condenniation  from  other  portions  of  the  land,  and  it 
was  one  of  those  developments  which  it  has  been  the  fate 
of  humanity  to  settle  only  by  the  arbitrament  of  arms. 
The  knot  was  to  be  cut  by  the  sword,  and  by  no  other 
means  whatever.  Negotiations  and  compromise  had  come 
to  an  end,  and  therefore  this  conflict  was  brought  about 
by  the  apparent  force  of  circumstances. 

The  system  was  placed  in  the  balances,  and  the  deceased 
Senator  took  the  side  of  his  own  section,  and  manfully 
and  fearlessly  maintained  what  he  believed  to  be  right. 
But  in  this  conflict  this  institution  was  extinguished  and 
has  disappeared  from  the  face  of  the  country,  and  from 
identity  with  its  prominent  institutions,  and  at  this  time 
we  have  reached  certainly  a  point  where  the  mantle  of 
oblivion  should  be  spread  over  the  act  and  the  lives  and 
the  conduct  of  those  persons  who,  under  the  impulse  of 
their  own  localities,  took  part  in  this  serious  and  deadly 
conflict.  The  result  has  been  an  advantage  to  the  country, 
to  the  section  even  in  which  this  institution  had  existed 
and  become  oppressive,  and  now  all  the  States  and  all  the 
population  of  the  States  are  in  a  condition  to  march  for- 
ward in  the  progress  of  industrial  success,  of  intellectual 
accomplishment,  and  of  the  highest  patriotism  that  may 
be  known  to  free  and  independent  citizens. 

This  man,  under  all  circumstances  where  he  was  em- 
ployed on  behalf  of  the  public,  whether  in  one  capacity  or 
another,  fulfilled  entirely  the  expectations  that  were  enter- 
tained of  him,  and  as  such  certainlv  was  not  onh'  entitled 


122  AMrrss  of  Mr.  Daniels  of  Xcw    York. 

to  but  has  generallv-  received  the  commendation  and  ap- 
proval of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  whether  in  his 
own  locality  or  in  others  where  his  renown  had  extended 
and  his  character  was  esteemed  and  respected. 

Bnt  it  is  not  in  reference  to  his  public  character  that 
I  desire  so  much  to  call  the  attention  of  the  House  upon 
this  occasion  as  it  is  to  the  private  character  of  the  man. 
Although  I  had  not  a  personal  acquaintance  with  the  de- 
ceased Senator,  yet  from  the  circumstances  that  occurred 
during  the  transit  of  his  remains  from  here  to  the  place  of 
his  burial  evidences  were  presented  from  the  population  of 
the  State  of  which  he  was  a  resident  that  indicated  the 
high  esteem  in  which  his  private  character  and  his  private 
virtues  were  held  b\-  the  communities  through  which  his 
remains  were  taken. 

I  ma>-  say  here,  Mr.  Speaker,  that  while  the  public  men 
of  our  conntrv  and  other  countries  may  be  commended, 
ma^■  be  approved  and  extolled  by  general  expressions  of 
sentiment  as  to  their  public  career  and  the  discharge  of 
their  public  duties,  there  is  no  greater  evidence  of  the 
worth  and  character  of  the  individual  than  that  which  is 
.secured  from  the  expressions  of  respect  and  regard  b)-  the 
masses  of  the  people.  When  this  man's  remains  were 
taken  to  the  capital  of  his  State  and  laid  there  in  the 
Statehouse  for  the  observation  of  the  people  of  that  city, 
t]ie\-  not  only  assembled  and  passed  in  silent  respect  the 
bier  whereon  these  remains  laid,  but,  in  addition  to  that, 
the  poor  and  lowly,  the  mas.ses  especialh',  were  largely 
among  the  throng  that  passed  b\-  the  remains  uijon  this 
occasion;  and  from  the  silent  evidences  of  .sorrow,  respect, 
and  regret  that  those  persons  gave  it  was  apparent  that  the 


Life  and  Character  of  Zchtihvi   Baird  Vance.       123 

hold  of  this  distinguished  man  on  the  mind  and  affections 
of  the  common  people  had  reached  throughout  the  com- 
munity. 

They  were  the  persons  who  passed  silenth'  by,  indicating 
the  great  sorrow  and  the  great  attachment  that  had  grown 
up  in  their  hearts  from  the  life  and  experience  that  they 
had  had  of  this  man  and  of  his  qualities  and  his  conduct 
as  a  prominent  man  and  member  of  their  State.  It  was  a 
tribute  that  could  not  be  given  to  any  public  person  other- 
wise than  from  a  deep  sense  that  had  impressed  itself 
upon  the  minds  of  these  people  of  his  virtues,  of  his  for- 
bearance, of  his  assistance  to  the  lowly  and  laboring  classes 
of  the  community.  It  was  not  only  among  the  masses  of 
the  white  people  that  these  tributes  of  respect  and  these 
tributes  of  feeling  were  given  to  him,  but  among  the  black 
people  as  well.  All  seemed  to  cherish  and  revere  him  as 
their  friend,  as  a  person  upon  whom  thev  had  depended, 
and  from  whom  they  had  received  assistance. 

It  was  a  gratifying  circumstance  to  see  these  evidences 
of  feeling  and  of  sympath)'  upon  the  part  of  these  people, 
the  "plain  people,"  as  Mr.  Lincoln  designated  them,  flow- 
ing out  upon  this  occasion  for  the  memory  of  a  man  who 
had  been  so  long  in  their  service  and  the  service  of  their 
State. 

When  the  remains  were  taken  from  this  place  toward 
the  citv  where  they  were  to  be  consigned  to  the  tomb,  they 
remained  upon  the  railway  cars  at  Durham  for  the  period 
of  an  hour,  and  during  the  time  the  train  remained  there 
this  class  of  people  again  thronged  the  cars  and  passed 
through  for  the  purpose  of  pa\-ing  tribute  to  the  man  for 
whom  they  entertained  this  great  degree  of   respect;    and 


124  Address  of  Mr.  Daniels  of  Xew    York. 

the  crowd  was  so  large  that  it  seemed  as  though  all  the 
working  classes  of  that  city  had  gathered  together  to  render 
the  deceased  this  tribute  of  their  sincerity  and  of  their  great 
respect. 

When,  in  the  progress  of  the  journey,  the  train  passed 
through  Greensboro,  the  same  manifestations  of  feeling  and 
respect  from  the  masses  of  the  people  were  again  renewed, 
and  while  the  train  remained  there  those  people,  although 
the  time  was  evening,  thronged  about  the  platform  and 
passed  through  the  car  for  the  purpose  of  taking  a  last  look 
at  the  man  whom  they  had  learned  to  admire,  to  respect, 
and  to  love. 

We  passed  from  there  to  the  city  where  his  residence  liad 
been ;  and  there  he  was  laid  before  the  people  in  the  same 
condition  of  state.  There  he  received  the  attention,  the 
commendation,  the  respect,  and  the  love  of  the  individuals 
composing  those  classes  of  the  community,  as  he  had  at 
the  other  places  through  which  the  remains  had  been 
taken.  When  the  time  arri\-ed  to  take  him  to  the  beau- 
tiful cemetery  adjacent  to  the  city  of  Asheville,  where  his 
remains  were  to  be  laid  in  quietude,  he  was  followed  by 
this  class  of  people,  as  well  as  by  the  intelligent,  the  bu.si- 
ness,  and  the  wealthy  classes  of  that  city,  to  the  cemetery 
upon  the  hillside  where  he  was  laid  in  the  tomb. 

These  evidences  of  respect,  these  evidences  of  attention, 
these  tributes  and  marks  of  affection  on  the  part  of  these 
people,  show  what  the  character  of  this  man  had  been 
during  his  life.  They  show  what  he  had  earned  in  the 
way  of  commendation  from  the  people  of  his  own  locality, 
as  well  as  generally  from  the  people  of  the  Ignited  States. 
He  was   taken    to    this   spot    and    there   Iniried,    with   the.-e 


Life  and  Character  of  Zcbitloii  Baird  I'ance.       125 

people  surroiuidiiig  iiim,  giving  him  the  last  evidences  of 
respect  and  affection  that  the\-  were  capable  of  giving 
him,  and  there  he  was  left  to  sleep  in  the  slope  of  this 
beautiful  cemetery,  almost  at  the  foot  of  which  was  the 
ri\-er  that  flowed  from  the  mountains  down  to  the  sea. 
He  has  passed,  as  this  river  passes,  to  the  ocean  of  eter- 
nity, and  there  his  remains  were  left  in  the  hope,  of  course, 
on  the  part  of  all,  in  the  promise  of  a  final  and  blissful 
resurrection. 

But  these  attributes  which  were  exhibited  in  the  mani- 
festations of  the  people  could  not  but  impress  every  person 
with  the  conviction  that  he  was  a  man  who,  in  his  life,  in 
his  conduct,  in  his  relations  to  others,  had  secured  the 
approval  not  only  of  the  wealthy,  the  intelligent,  the  pros- 
perous members  of  the  community,  but  also  that  he  was 
upon  a  line  of  entire  affinity  with  the  working  people, 
the  poor  people  of  the  locality  in  which  he  lived  and  of 
his  great  State;  and  that  they  entertained  for  him  a  deep 
measure  of  respect  and  affection  was  indicated  by  the  ex- 
pressions of  sorrow  that  attended  his  demise.  It  was  an 
honor  to  his  memory,  an  honor  to  the  man,  an  honor  to 
the  State,  a  manifestation  that  could  not  have  originated 
from  any  other  source  than  the  grandeur,  the  sincerity, 
and  the  kindliness  of  his  character,  and  these  evidences 
will,  no  doubt,  long  live  to  characterize,  to  preserve,  and  to 
secure  his  memory  in  the  minds  and  hearts  of  all  classes  of 
the  people  of  his  State  as  well  as  of  the  country  at  large. 


126  Address  of  Mi-.   Whcclcr  of  Alabama. 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  Wheeler  of  Alabama. 

Mr.  Speaker:  Senator  Vanxe,  probably  more  than  any 
other  man  of  this  generation,  possessed  qualities  wliich 
peculiarly  fitted  him  for  a  public  servant  in  a  Republic 
like  ours.  He  combined  great  ability,  profound  learninsj, 
intuitive  knowledge  of  human  nature,  and  the  facult\'  of 
presenting  his  views  with  great  power  and  clearness.  In 
any  attitude  or  position  in  life  Senator  Vance  would  have 
been  a  leader  and  would  have  achieved  great  distinction. 
His  character  seems  to  have  abounded  in  those  qualities 
which  people  of  all  classes  and  conditions  love  and  admire. 

He  was  honest  and  sincere  in  every  phase  and  interpreta- 
tion of  those  words.  He  was  generous  in  all  his  dealings. 
To  the  weak  he  was  tender  and  magnanimous.  His  whole 
life  was  an  exemplification  of  love  and  devotion  to  the  peo- 
ple whom  he  served.  To  this  was  largely  due  the  bounte- 
ous outpouring  of  lo\'e  .from  his  people  to  their  idolized 
leader. 

At  the  age  of  tvvent\-four  Senator  X'.anck  became  dis- 
tinguished as  a  member  of  the  legislature  of  North  Caro- 
lina; at  twenty-six  he  was  prominent  as  an  eloqueiU  and 
able  Representative  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 
At  thirty-one  he  had  organized  one  of  the  finest  regiments 
in  the  Confederate  army,  had  become  greath-  distinguished 
as  its  leader,  and  had  received  the  highest  commendation 
for  his  coolness,  coiiragc,  and  soldierly  conduct  in  battle. 
\    \'ear   later,   when    but    tliirt\-lwo   veais  of  age,   he  was 


Life  and  Character  of  Zchulon  Baird  I'aiice.       127 

elected  governor  of  Nortli  Carolina,  and  in  1864  was  re- 
elected to  that  exalted  position.  His  administration  of 
affairs  as  chief  execntive  of  his  State  earned  for  him  the 
approval,  snpport,  and  confidence  of  the  people.  He  per- 
fected arrangements  by  which  the  resonrces  of  the  State 
were  availed  of  to  clotlie,  feed,  and  care  for  the  soldiers  in 
the  field,  and  at  the  same  time  to  give  protection  to  their 
families  and  their  homes. 

I  first  met  Senator  Vance  in  April,  1865.  It  was  inevi- 
table that  the  next  day  the  Federal  army  nnder  General 
Sherman  wonld  occnpv  the  State  capital.  It  is  a  histor- 
ical fact  that,  appalled  as  they  were  by  the  strength  of  the 
Federal  army  and  the  inability  of  the  Confederates  to  resist 
the  overpowering  forces  under  General  Sherman,  many 
prominent  men  ad\'ised  that  North  Carolina  should  make 
the  best  possible  terms  with  the  Federal  Government. 

Senator  Vance  was  too  great  a  man  to  be  led  from  his 
plain  line  of  duty  into  negotiations  of  such  a  character,  and 
he  determined  that  the  honor  and  best  interests  of  North 
Carolina  and  her  brave  soldiers,  who  had  won  imperishable 
renown,  demanded  that  she  should  share  the  fate  of  her 
sister  Southern  States.  Preferring,  in  case  he  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  Federals,  to  be  in  the  attitude  of  a  military 
rather  than  a  political  prisoner,  and  desiring  to  remain  as 
close  to  his  capital  as  possible,  and  to  obtain  tlie  earliest 
information  as  to  the  condition  of  the  Confederates  as  well 
as  the  movements  of  the  Federal  army,  Governor  Vance 
was  appointed  an  aid-de-camp  upon  my  staff,  witli  the 
rank  of  colonel,  and  for  some  days  I  had  tire  honor  and 
pleasure  of  an  intimate  association  with  this  distinguished 
war  governor.      I  was  forcibly  impressed  with  his  wisdom 


128  Address  of  Mr.   W'hcclcr  of  Alabama. 

and  foresight.  Surrounded  as  we  were  by  what  seemed  to 
most  people  inextricable  uncertainties,  Governor  \'ance 
appeared  to  fully  comprehend  our  future. 

His  distinguished  career  since  the  war  is  fully  known  to 
our  country-.  Few  Southern  Senators  have  been  so  fortu- 
nate in  exercising  influences  for  the  benefit  of  the  States 
they  represent  as  Senator  Vance. 

I  shall  leave  it  to  those  of  his  own  State  to  speak  more 
in  detail  of  the  career  of  this  eminent  man.  The  exalted 
position  which  he  held  for  more  than  the  third  of  a  century 
places  him  high  in  rank  as  a  man  of  national  usefulness 
and  prominence. 

He  enjoyed  the  respect  of  the  entire  country.  The 
brave  soldiers  he  so  gallantly  led  love  and  admire  him  for 
his  courage  in  battle,  the  hearts  of  the  people  of  his  State 
go  out  with  feelings  of  love  and  gratitude  for  the  fidelity 
with  which  he  executed  the  trusts  confided  to  him,  and  the 
people  of  the  South  will  always  honor  and  revere  his 
memory. 

Bv  the  side  of  the  ever-running  streams  and  the  eternal 
hills  of  the  historic  State  of  North  Carolina,  the  State 
which  gave  him  birth  and  lavished  honors  upon  him,  the 
mortal  remains  of  Senator  Vance  have  been  laid  to  rest. 


Life  and  Cliaractcr  of  Zcbuloii  Baird  Vance.       129 


,  ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  Bland. 

Mr.  Speaker:  I  wish  in  a  few  words  to  add  my  tes- 
timony to  the  great  merits  of  our  departed  statesman, 
Senator  Vance. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Senate;  I  a  member  of  the 
House.  Yet  we  were  frequently  thrown  together,  both 
socially  and  officiall)-.  I  was,  probably,  brought  closer  to 
him  because  like  myself  he  believed  that  the  restoration 
of  the  free  coinage  of  silver  was  necessary  to  the  financial 
welfare  of  the  country.  Bimetallism  had  no  abler  advo- 
cate in  either  House  of  Congress  than  Senator  Vance. 

In  the  coming  battles  for  this  cause  we  will  miss  his  wise 
counsels  and  deplore  the  loss  of  his  eloquent  pleas  for  the 
success  of  this  great  issue. 

Whenever  I  learned  that  Senator  Vance  had  the  floor  in 
the  Senate  on  the  silver  question  I  always  took  pleasure  in 
going  over  to  hear  him. 

His  eloquent  words  in  opposition  to  the  repeal  of  the 
purchasing  clause  of  the  Sherman  law  rang  out  in  warning, 
and  his  prophecies  that  the  promised  prosperity  consequent 
on  the  repeal  would  never  come,  but  on  the  contrary  that 
the  country  would  suflfer  on  account  of  such  legislation, 
have  proven  to  be  true. 

Senator  Vaxce  was  one  of  the  most  striking  personages 
in  public  life.  There  was  a  magnetic  charm  about  his 
smiling  face.  His  evident  good  nature,  coupled  with  his 
strength  of  character,  at  once  photographed  itself  upon  the 
memory. 

S  Mis  151 9 


130  Address  of  Mr.  Bland  of  Missouri. 

I  can  see  him  now  as  he  appeared  in  all  the  strength  and 
power  of  a  great  man,  for  he  was  trnly  great. 

In  debate  he  was  strong  and  forcefnl.  Alwa\'s  in  ear- 
nest, intensely  sincere,  }et  withal  he  had  a  pleasing  man- 
ner, so  that  while  vanquishing  his  opponents  he  awoke  no 
spirit  of  revenge. 

Mr.  Speaker,  if  Death  sought  from  among  us  a  man  who 
in  all  his  nature  was  a  sympathizer  and  friend  of  struggling 
humanity,  if  the  fell  Destroyer  was  determined  to  strike 
down  one  of  the  most  conspicuous  champions  and  ablest 
defenders  of  the  interest  of  the  plain  people,  then,  indeed, 
was  the  doom  of  Senator  Vaxck  inev^itable.  But  Death 
spares  no  man,  however  great  and  useful  he  ma}-  be. 
Truly  life  is  but  a  span.  When  we  li\-e  out  our  allotted 
"three-score  and  ten,"  we  look  back  to  the  days  of  child- 
hood, youth,  and  mature  age,  we  compress  all  these  years 
of  joy  and  sorrow,  of  success  and  failure,  in  a  moment  of 
intense  thought.  Yea,  the  mind  goes  back  through  the 
dim  vista  of  ages  past.  We  see  the  peoples  who  for  thou- 
sands of  years  have  come  and  gone.  We  confuse  and  con- 
found until  all  mankind  since  the  world  began  appear 
as  our  contemporaries.  Dying,  we  join  them  as  youthful 
companions  in  eternity. 

Death  is  the  great  commoner.  He  lays  the  heads  of  the 
great  and  powerful  as  low  as  the  humblest.  But  death  can 
iK)t  rob  the  great  Senator  of  his  just  renown.  His  memory 
will  live.  His  life  and  character  will  be  pointed  to  as  an 
examjile  of  what  houestN'  and  energy  may  ;iccouiplisli. 

His  name  and  fame  are  secure. 

As  we  love  and  revere  his  memory,  so  also  we  trust  his 
spirit  is  at  ])eace  with  his  God. 


Lift  and  Charnctcr  of  Zcbitlou  Baird  Vance.       131 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.   McMILLIN. 

Mr.  Speaker:  One  of  the  strongest  and  best  beloved 
sons  of  the  Sonthland  and  patriots  of  the  whole  land  is  gone. 
We  come  to-day  to  place  in  the  records  of  this  Hotise  our 
humble  tribute  to  his  many  virtues. 

Senator  \'axch  was  born  in  1830,  in  North  Carolina, 
and  finished  his  education,  so  far  as  his  schooling  was 
concerned,  about  the  time  he  reached  manhood.  But  his 
period  of  study  did  not  end  there,  for  to  the  day  of  his 
death  he  was  not  only  a  thoughtful  man,  but  he  had  de- 
voted much  time  to  stud\'ing  the  writings  and  saving-s  of 
others. 

One  of  the  British  essayists  has  defined  genius  to  be 
the  possession  in  combination  of  "  a  quick  perception,  a 
strong  understanding,  and  a  high  sense  of  the  ludicrous." 
All  of  these  our  deceased  friend  possessed  in  a  very  high 
degree.  In  truth,  he  was  a  very  rare  and  remarkable 
combination.  He  possessed  native  brilliancy  without  it 
diminishing  his  disposition  to  study;  he  had  the  finest  wit 
and  humor  without  impairing  his  reputation  for  serious 
thought  and  stern  action.  These  were  used  only  as  aids 
in  impressing  solemn  truths  and  serious  matters.  His 
speeches,  both  written  and  extemporary,  abound  in  humor- 
ous thought,  witty  expression,  and  in  anecdote  ;  but  I  defy 
the  most  careful  critic  of  his  public  utterances  to  point 
to  any  of  these  that  were  ever  used  except  to  illustrate  a 
weighty  matter. 


132  Address  of  Mr.  McMillin  of  Tennessee. 

From  his  first  entrance  into  public  life  to  the  close  of  his 
long  and  eventful  career  the  most  signal  success  marked 
the  course  of  this  wonderful  man.  For  over  a  third  of 
a  century  he  participated  in  the  great  conflicts  of  our  in- 
tense American  life.  Step  by  step,  and  with  remarkable 
rapidity,  he  rose  from  station  to  station  till  he  had  served 
his  State  as  its  attorney,  in  its  legislature,  in  its  army, 
and  the  House  of  Representatives  here,  as  its  governor, 
and  as  its  four-tinres-elected  United  States  Senator.  He 
saw  the  slavery  question  rise  and  culminate.  He  saw  the 
Union  divided  and  our  whole  people  rush  to  the  tented 
field,  and  was  a  jjarticipant  in  the  mightiest  civil  war  of 
all  the  ages.  So  prominent  was  he  as  Congressman,  as  an 
officer  in  the  Army  of  Virginia,  as  war  governor,  as  Sena- 
tor, then  as  governor  in  the  trying  period  that  succeeded 
our  war,  that  it  would  be  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  he 
was  one  of  those  upon  whom  all  eyes  were  fixed.  Yet 
it  can  be  truly  said  that  never  for  an  hour,  ne\-er  for  a 
moment,  either  North  or  South,  was  his  courage,  his  hon- 
esty, his  patriotism,  or  his  self-sacrificing  devotion  to 
principle  questioned. 

Nor  were  his  admirable  qualities  confined  to  the  field  of 
public  duty.  He  was  as  lovable  in  his  home  life  as  he  was 
admirable  in  public  station.  I  know  now  and  knew  liefore 
he  wed  her  the  noble  woman  who  stood  by  his  deathlied  at 
the  last  sad  hour.  And  I  know  that  whilst  his  country 
suffered  much  by  his  departure,  his  sweet  and  hospital^le 
home  can  never  again  be  lighted  as  his  genial  smile  illu- 
mined it. 

Mr.  Speaker,  Senator  V:\ncf.  not  onix-  liad  the  \-irtiies 
I  have  enumerated,  Init  lie  loved   tlu-  (lod  wlio  had  gi\'en 


Life  and  Cliayactcr  of  Zchulon  Baird  Vance.       133 

him  beinj;-  with  his  "whole  soul,  iniiid,  and  strength," 
and  he  yielded  himself  up  to  His  service.  He  was  able 
to  pass  through  the  valle\-  of  the  shadow  of  death  with 
the  same  freedom  from  fear  that  had  marked  his  journey 
through  life.  The  blaze  of  Christianity  illumined  his  way, 
and  no  fear  caused  him  to  falter  when  he  came  to  "tread 
the  wine  press  alone." 

Sir,  honored  by  his  great  State  as  few  men  ever  are, 
loved  by  all  who  knew  him,  respected  and  admired  b\'  the 
people  of  all  the  States,  he  has  been  taken  from  the 
country  he  loved  so  much  and  served  so  well.  From  the 
shores  of  the  Atlantic  to  the  summit  of  North  Carolina's 
beautiful  mountains  there  is  not  a  patriotic  son  or  daugh- 
ter of  the  glorious  North  State  whose  heart  is  not  bowed 
down  with  grief  on  account  of  our  country's  loss.  His 
whole  people,  whether  residing  on  mountain  or  in  valley, 
in  mansion,  in  cottage,  or  in  cabin,  feel  that  they  have 
lost  a  great  champion,  and  the  country  a  great  defender. 

May  the  God  whom  he  loved  and  served  bless  the  family 
left  to  mourn  him,  and  inspire  those  of  us  who  survi\'e  him 
with  that  love  of  country  and  devotion  to  duty  and  prin- 
ciple which  are  shining  characteristics  of  his  glorious  life. 


134  Address  of  Mr.  Springer  of  Illinois. 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  Springer. 

Mr.  Speaker:  I  will  not  speak  of  all  the  positions  of 
honor  held  by  the  distinguished  Senator  whose  memory  we 
are  commemorating  on  this  occasion,  or  of  all  his  great 
virtues.  Others  better  acquainted  with  his  long  and  hon- 
orable career  than  I  am  have  already  given  the  details  of 
his  life  work,  and  have  recounted  the  man>-  acts  of  his 
illustrious  and  eventful  history.  He  served  as  a  member 
of  this  House  in  two  Congresses  before  the  war,  was  three 
times  governor  of  his  State,  and  was  four  times  elected  a 
Senator  in  Congress,  but  was  not  seated  under  his  first 
election.  He  died  in  the  middle  of  his  third  term  of  Sen- 
atorial service.  He  held  many  offices  of  honor  and  trust 
in  his  State,  and  served  for  a  short  time  in  the  Confeder- 
ate army.  In  all  the  positions  lield  by  him  he  acquitted 
himself  with  marked  distinction. 

He  was  a  man  of  commanding  presence.  In  any  as- 
sembly or  company  of  people  he  would  have  been  "the 
observed  of  all  observers"  on  account  of  his  fine  physique, 
his  dignified  bearing,  and  his  intellectual  features.  I  did 
not  know  liini  in  his  youtli,  hut  in  his  maturer  years  he 
was  in  appearance  an  ideal  governor,  a  model  Senator. 

He  was  of  a  most  cheerful  disposition.  One  could  not 
come  into  his  presence  without  feeling  a  sense  of  cheerful- 
ness at  once.  It  was  impossible  to  be  with  him  without 
forgetting  all  cares  and  vexations  of  life.  He  possessed  an 
inexhaustible  fund  of  information  on  all  public  questions, 
and  never  was  at  a  loss  to  emphasize  his  narrations  of  i)er- 
sonal  and  historical  reminiscences  with  amusing  anecdotes. 


Life  and  Cliaracicr  of  Zi-biiloii  Jiaini  \'a)icc.         135 

He  possessed  in  a  high  degree  a  sense  of  lunnor,  and  en- 
joyed telling  and  listening  to  others  tell  amnsing  incidents 
in  everyday  life.  Few  persons  whom  I  have  known  could 
tell  a  storv  in  a  better  vein  of  humor  or  in  a  manner  more 
impressive  than  he  could.  In  this  respect  he  was  very 
much  like  Abraham  Lincoln.  They  both  made  their  pop- 
ular addresses  exceedingly  attractive  to  their  hearers  by 
an  occasional  humorous  illustration,  which  never  failed 
to  call  forth  demonstrations  of  applause  and  to  rivet  the 
attention  of  the  audience  upon  the  more  solid  and  instruc- 
tive portions  of  their  discourses. 

Senator  Vance  enjoyed  in  a  most  remarkable  degree  the 
affections  of  the  people  of  his  State,  and  in  fact  of  the 
whole  country.  He  was  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school, 
honorable  and  just  in  all  the  relations  of  life.  His  integ- 
rity was  far  above  all  suspicion,  and  he  maintained  at  all 
times  a  steadfast  adherence  to  his  convictions,  and  upheld 
the  right  regardless  of  consequences.  He  was  a  statesman 
in  the  broadest  sense,  a  devoted  friend  of  the  common  peo- 
ple, and  a  fearless  advocate  of  the  equal  rights  of  all  before 
the  law.  He  so  lived  during  this  mortal  life  that  he  ap- 
proached the  life  to  come  with  calm  resignation,  and  even 
cheerfulness,  in  anticipation  of  a  brighter  and  better  exist- 
ence beyond  the  tomb.      And  wh\-  not? 

There  is  no  death !     What  seems  so  is  transition; 

This  life  of  mortal  breath 
Is  but  a  suburb  of  the  life  elysian. 

Our  departed  friend  so  regarded  it  and  did  not  fear  the 
change.  His  death  is  an  irreparable  loss  to  his  family,  to 
his  State,  and  to  his  country.  But  their  loss  was  his  gain. 
He  sleeps  the  sleep  of  the  just  and  will  receive  the  reward 
of  the  faithful  servant.. 


136  Address  of  Mr.  Sivaiisou  of  I  'irgiiiia. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  SWANSON. 

Mr.  Speaker:  I  do  not  rise  to  deliver  a  studied  or  elab- 
orate eulogy  upou  the  distinguished  Senator.  That  has 
been  so  well  and  eloquently  done  that  I  can  add  nothing 
to  what  has  been  said.  I  only  rise  to  place  upon  his  grave 
in  behalf  of  myself  and  people  a  modest  chaplet  of  love 
and  esteem. 

The  people  of  no  section  heard  with  more  profound 
regret  and  sorrow  the  death  of  the  late  distinguished  Sen- 
ator from  North  Carolina  than  those  whom  I  have  the 
honor  to  represent  upon  this  floor.  No  people  loved  him 
more  than  we  loved  him;  none  admired  him  more  than  we 
admired  him;  none  have  experienced  more  than  we  his 
kind  offices  and  generous  aid.  When  to  subserve  partisan 
purposes  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  by  a  pretended 
investigation,  inaugurated  by  a  recreant  Senator  from  Vir- 
ginia, sought  to  blacken  the  fair  name  and  asjjerse  the 
character  of  the  good  people  of  Danville  and  my  district, 
we  found  in  Senator  Y.\NCE  our  brave  champion  and  our 
valiant  defender.  That  gratitude  which  is  the  richest  and 
rarest  flower  that  sheds  its  perfume  on  the  human  heart 
will  ever  insure  him  our  highest  regard;  encircle  his  name 
with  garlands  of  deejaest  love  and  devotion.  We  feel  to- 
ward him  that  deep  personal  affection  and  pride  which 
animate  the  people  of  his  own  State.  I  wisli  I  had  the 
power  this  afternoon  of  voicing  the  tender  love  and  admi- 
ration that  mv  people  entertain   for  this  man.      I  wish  my 


Life  and  Character  of  Zelmlou  Baird  Vance.       137 

power  of  speech  was  commensurate  with  and  could  do  full 
justice  to  his  splendid  qualities  of  mind  and  heart.  , 

Senator  Vance  was  a  man  whom  to  know  was  both  to 
love  and  to  admire.  Affable,  joyous,  warm-hearted,  kind, 
and  generous,  he  was  ' '  the  very  schoolboy  of  the  heart. ' ' 
He  possessed  a  genial  flow  of  spirits,  a  witchery  of  wit  and 
humor  that  was  irresistible.  His  presence  was  sunshine. 
Vance  always  impressed  me  like  the  great  State  he  rep- 
resented. North  Carolina  is  largely  composed  of  rich, 
broad,  fertile  fields  and  plains,  and  is  decorated  here  and 
there  with  a  wild  picturesqueness  and  beauty  of  scenery 
unsurpassed.  So  with  her  great  son;  he  was  endowed 
with  a  strong,  broad,  masculine  mind  and  heart,  spark- 
ling with  all  the  fascinations  of  wit  and  humor  and  glit- 
tering with  all  the  coruscations  of  eloquence,  pathos,  and 
genius. 

Mr.  Speaker,  the  greatest  of  all  English  novelists,  in  his 
masterpiece.  Vanity  Fair,  has  truly  said  that  the  world  is 
a  looking-glass  and  casts  back  to  each  man  the  reflection 
of  his  own  face.  If  he  smiles  upon  the  world  it  smiles 
upon  him.  If  he  frowns  upon  it,  it  frowns  upon  him.  If 
he  hates  it,  it  hates  him.  If  he  loves  it,  it  loves  him. 
How  profoundly  is  this  truth  illustrated  in  the  magnifi- 
cent career  of  the  late  distinguished  Senator.  He  smiled 
upon  the  world  with  a  tender  smile,  and  it  received  him 
with  open,  loving  arms.  He  loved  humanity  and  the 
world,  and  he  died  the  idol  of  his  people.  He  trusted  the 
people,  and  with  implicit  confidence  his  people,  in  their 
hours  of  trial  and  gloom,  placed  with  loving  faith  their 
hands  in  his  and  followed  his  leadership  and  guidance  to 
sunshine  and  prosperity. 


138  Address  of  Air.  Swaiisoit  of  ]'irgiiua. 

His  people  showered  upon  him  even-  trust,  every  honor 
which  it  was  in  their  power  to  bestow.  What  a  splendid 
career  does  his  life  present.  Prosecuting  attorney  of  his 
countN-  at  the  age  of  twent}-two;  member  of  the  legisla- 
ture at  twenty-four;  Representative  in  the  United  States 
Congress  at  twenty-eight;  a  brave,  distinguished  soldier  at 
thirty-one;  elected  go\ernor  of  his  State  at  thirty-two,  to 
guide  her  through  the  storms  and  tempests  of  war;  re- 
elected at  thirty-four  with  the  reputation  of  being  the 
most  distinguished  and  efficient  of  all  the  noted  war  gov- 
ernors. In  1870  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate,  but 
being  refused  admission,  he  returned  to  his  State  and  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  until  1876,  when, 
by  the  universal  call  of  his  party,  he  again  offered  for 
governor,  and  in  the  memorable  campaign  of  that  year 
redeemed  his  State  from  the  corrupt  and  miserable  gov- 
ernment which  reconstruction  had  placed  upon  her.  In 
1878  he  was  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate,  and 
from  that  time  to  his  death  he  served  as  one  of  the  most 
beloved,  talented,  and  distinguished  members  of  that  body. 

Few  public  men,  few  statesmen  have  experienced  a  life 
so  crowded  with  great  and  grave  responsibilities,  so  re- 
splendent with  success  and  honors.  His  public  career, 
extending  from  prosecuting  attorney  to  United  States  Sen- 
ator, each  year  exhibited  a  broadening  in  reputation,  in 
power  and  usefulness. 

Mr.  Speaker,  Carlyle,  in  his  splendid  essay  on  Voltaire, 
has  truly  said  that  the  life  of  every  man  is  as  the  well- 
spring  of  a  stream,  whose  small  beginnings  are  indeed 
])lain  to  all,  whose  ultimate  cour.se  and  destination,  as  it 
winds   through    the   expanse  of   infinite    years,    only   the 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebu  Ion  Baird  I 'a  nee.        139 

Omniscient  can  discern.  Will  it  mingle  with  the  ueio;h- 
boring  rivulets  as  a  tributary  or  receive  them  as  their  sov- 
ereign? Is  it  to  be  a  nameless  brook,  and  will  its  tiny 
waters  among  millions  of  other  brooks  and  rills  increase 
the  current  of  some  world-famed  river?  Or  is  it  to  be 
itself  a  Rhine,  a  Danube,  an  Amazon,  whose  goings  forth 
are  to  the  uttermost  land,  its  floods  an  everlasting  boundary 
line  on  the  globe  itself,  the  bulwark  and  highway  of  whole 
kingdoms  and  continents. 

As  to  which  a  man's  life  shall  be — whether  a  tiny  stream 
or  a  magnificent  river — depends  largely  upon  one's  talents, 
but  more  than  all,  his  own  efforts  and  ambition.  Vance, 
possessed  of  high  qualities  of  mind  and  splendid  talents, 
aspiring  and  ambitious,  chose  to  make  and  did  make  the 
stream  of  his  life,  as  it  ran  with  its  pure  waters  to  the 
great  eternal  ocean,  a  large  and  majestic  river,  known  far 
and  wide,  fertilizing  broad  fields,  enriching  States,  and 
carrying  on  its  bosom  rich  treasures  for  his  country  and 
mankind. 


140  Address  of  Mr.  Cantth  of  Kentucky. 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  CARUTH. 

Mr.  Speaker:  Scarcely  had  the  echo  of  the  last  gun  of 
our  fratricidal  war  died  out  in  the  land,  hardly  had  the 
smoke  risen  from  the  last  battle  plain;  blood-smeared  Bel- 
lona  had  but  just  fled  and  white-winged  Peace  returned 
from  her  banishment  to  reign  in  her  stead,  when  it  entered 
the  patriotic  minds  of  some  of  the  residents  of  the  city  of 
my  home  to  bring  together  on  Kentucky  soil  representa- 
tive men  of  the  North  and  of  the  South,  who  had  so 
recently  doffed  the  blue  or  the  gray,  to  mingle  together,  to 
"shake  hands  across  the  bloody  chasm,"  and  to  renew 
their  vows  of  allegiance  to  the  Union  of  the  States  under 
the  victorious  Stars  and  Stripes. 

It  was  appropriate  that  such  a  gathering  should  be  held 
on  Kentucky  soil,  for  that  State  stood  on  the  border  land, 
tried  to  avert  the  threatened  conflict,  spoke  words  of  con- 
ciliation and  of  peace.  Her  efforts  were  useless,  her  voice 
was  unheeded,  and  from  her  blue-grass  fields  and  her  moun- 
tain fastnesses  her  brave  sons  rushed  to  the  aid  of  the  cause 
thev  liad  loved.  Eighty  thousand  of  her  people  enlisted  on 
either  side  in  that  deadly  conflict.  Principle  divided  her 
people,  dissension  entered  ever\-  household  and  separated 
father  and  son  and  brother  and  brotlier.  She  loved  the 
Union  as  she  loved  the  South.  Wliat  better  mediator  ibr 
peace  than  she?  Wliat  liaud  could  more  appropriately 
reach  fortli  to  bring  together  in  peaceful  unity  the  men  of 
the  North  and  the  South  than  tlie  hand  of  Kentucky? 

.\nimated  by  a  desire  to  accomplisli  this  great  work,  the 
patriotic  people  of  Louisville  brought  to  their  hospitable 


Life  and  Clmradcr  of  Zcbitlon  Baird  I'ance.        141 

homes  representative  men  of  the  North,  men  of  impor- 
tance and  influence  in  the  South.  In  this  notable  gath- 
ering who  could  more  appropriately  mingle  than  Hon. 
Zebulon  B.  Vance,  of  North  Carolina?  A  lover  of  his 
country,  his  influence  had  been  exerted,  his  eloquent  voice 
had  been  raised  against  the  dismemberment  of  the  Union, 
and  it  was  only  after  his  efforts  failed  that  he,  with  the 
greatest  reluctance  and  the  deepest  sorrow,  followed  his 
beloved  North  Carolina  into  the  Southern  Confederacy. 
It  is  needless  to  say  that  on  the  occasion  referred  to  no 
voice  pleaded  with  more  potent  eloquence  for  the  restora- 
tion of  the  Union  on  the  principles  of  the  Constitution 
than  that  of  Governor  Vance.  Although  I  knew  this 
dignified  man  by  reputation,  it  was  not  until  this  occasion 
that  I  had  the  pleasure  of  personally  meeting  him,  and 
from  that  time  I  admired  and  respected  him.  I  was  des- 
tined, however,  to  know  him  better,  not  only  from  the 
official  intercourse  which  a  member  of  the  House  neces- 
sarily has  with  a  member  of  the  Senate,  but  because  also 
it  w^as  to  Kentucky  and  to  the  county  of  my  home  that 
Governor  Vance  afterwards  came  to  select  his  life  com- 
panion. It  was  a  fortunate  selection  for  him,  for  she  was 
one  of  the  fairest,  brightest,  most  gifted  daughters  of  Ken- 
tuckv.  She  became  indeed  his  helpmate — a  wife  devoted 
to  her  husband. 

Ever  on  the  watch  to  borrow 

Mirth  of  his  mirth,  and  sorrow  of  his  sorrow. 

From  the  fact  of  this  union,  Kentucky  has  claimed  a 
deep  interest  in  this  distinguished  man,  and  watched  his 
career  with  affectionate  pride.  In  the  hour  of  mourning, 
sorrowing  o\-er  the  affliction  which  has  come  to  the  heart 
and  home  of  her  gifted  daughter,   Kentucky  claims  the 


142  Address  of  Mr.   Cariith  of  Krntucky. 

right  to  mingle  her  tears  with  those  of  bereaved  North 
Carolina. 

What  could  I  say  of  Zebulon  B.  Vance  that  all  Amer- 
ica does  not  know?  Shall  I  speak  of  his  patriotism?  His 
devotion  to  his  country  and  his  State  is  part  of  the  history 
of  the  trying  period  of  the  civil  war.  Reluctanth-  he  left 
this  House  to  enter  the  army  of  his  native  vState,  and  be- 
came a  colonel  in  the  Confederate  service.  He  laid  down 
the  sword  to  assume  executive  control  of  the  affairs  of  his 
State.  He  was  North  Carolina's  war  governor,  sustained 
throughout  this  fierce  conflict  the  supremacy  of  the  civil 
over  the  military  law,  and  when  the  end  came  his  voice 
was  raised  in  behalf  of  peace  and  a  restored  ITnion.  All 
this  the  world  knows. 

Shall  I  speak  of  him  as  a  statesman?  Do  not  all  the 
people  of  the  United  States  know  the  story  of  his  work 
in  the  halls  of  legislation  in  behalf  of  his  State  and  his 
country?  Twice  a  Representati\e  in  tliis  House,  thrice 
governor  of  his  native  State,  four  times  chosen  Senator! 
Whose  civic  career  is  more  distinguished  than  this? 

Shall  I  speak  of  him  as  an  orator?  What  words  of  mine 
could  do  justice  to  his  fame?  He  was,  indeed,  gifted  with 
eloquence.  On  the  hustings  his  voice  rang  out  with  per- 
suasive power  and  molded  "the  thoughts  of  many  into 
one,"  and  in  the  legislative  halls  "listening  senates  hung 
upon  his  tongue."  In  modern  times  there  has  appeared 
in  the  Republic  no  more  thoroughly  equipped  or  better 
prepared  debater  and  orator  than  Zeium,on  B.  \'.\nce. 

Shall  I  speak  of  him  as  a  man?  Those  wln)  knew  him 
best  have  borne  the  strongest  testimony  to  his  worth. 
Born  in  the  Old  North  State,  with  his  ashes  buried  in  her 
soil,    North   Carolina   says   to   the   world:    "He   was   my 


Life  and  Character  of  Zcbitlon  Baird  ]'ancc.         143 

beloved  son;  I  twice  sent  hiin  to  the  National  House  of 
Representatives.  I  then  made  him  my  governor,  and  four 
times  I  elected  him  a  Senator  in  Congress.  Never  did  I 
before  so  honor  one  of  my  citizens;  he  was  always  true, 
alwaj's  worthy.     I  honored  myself  in  honoring  him." 

Let  me  borrow  in  this  connection  the  very  eloquent  lan- 
gtiage  of  his  colleague,  Senator  Ransom,  who,  in  speaking 
of  him  on  a  similar  occasion  to  this  in  the  Senate,  said: 

What  Tell  was  to  Switzerland,  what  Bruce  was  to  Scotland,  what  William  of 
Orange  was  to  Holland,  I  had  almost  said  wdiat  Moses  was  to  Israel,  ^''ANCE  was 
to  North  Carolina.  I  can  give  you  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  deep,  fervid,  exalted 
sentiment  which  our  people  cherished  for  their  greatest  tribune.  He  was  of  them. 
He  was  one  of  them.  He  was  with  them.  His  thoughts,  his  feelings,  his  words 
were  theirs.  He  was  their  shepherd,  their  champion,  their  friend,  their  guide, 
blood  of  their  blood,  great,  good,  noble,  true,  human  like  they  were  in  all  respects, 
no  better,  but  wiser,  abler,  with  higher  knowledge  and  profounder  learning. 

Nor  was  this  unsurpassed  devotion  unreasonable  or  without  just  foundation. 
For  more  than  the  third  of  a  century,  for  upward  of  thirty  years,  in  peace  and  in 
war,  in  prosperity  and  in  adversity,  in  joy  and  in  sorrow,  he  had  stood  by  them 
like  a  brother — a  defender,  a  preserver,  a  deliverer.  He  was  their  martyr  and 
had  suffered  for  their  acts.  He  was  their  shield  and  had  protected  them  from 
evil  and  from  peril.  He  had  been  with  them — -he  had  been  with  them  and  their 
sons  and  brothers  on  the  march,  by  the  camp  fires,  in  the  burning  light  of  battle; 
beside  the  wounded  and  the  dying;  in  their  darkest  hours,  amid  hunger  and  cold 
and  famine  and  pestilences,  his  watchful  care  had  Isrought  them  comfort  and 
shelter  and  protection. 

-jf  *  *  *  ^ 

In  defeat,  amid  tumult,  amid  ruin,  humiliation,  and  the  loss  of  all  they  had,  he 
had  been  their  adviser,  he  had  guided  them  through  the  wilderness  of  their  woes 
and  brought  them  safely  back  to  their  rights  and  all  their  hopes.  He  had  been  to 
them  like  the  north  star  to  the  storm-tossed  and  despairing  mariner.  He  had 
been  greater  than  Ulysses  to  the  Greeks.  He  had  preserved  their  priceless  honor, 
had  saved  their  homes,  and  was  the  defender  of  their  liberties.  He  was  their 
benefactor.  Every  object  around  them  reminded  them  of  his  care,  every  mem- 
ory recalled,  every  thought  suggested  his  usefulness  and  their  gratitude. 

The  labors  of  his  useful,  brilliant  life  are  over,  the  tri- 
umphs of  earth  are  ended  in  death,  but  the  memor\'  of  his 
deeds,  the  story  of  his  career,  will  not  only  live  in  history, 
but  tradition  will  hand  them  down  from  sire  to  son  to  the 
remotest  generations  of  our  people.     His  fame  is  immortal. 


144  Address  of  Mr.  Bryan  of  Nebraska. 


Address  of  Mr.  Bryan. 

Mr.  Speaker:  We  are  called  upon  on  these  occasions 
to  speak  of  the  virtues  of  many  different  types  of  men. 
Sometimes  one  is  taken  from  us  who  has  spent  the  most  of 
his  da\-s  in  private  business  and  has  come  to  these  Halls  to 
crown  with  public  honors  a  busy  life.  Sometimes  we  are 
called  to  mourn  a  man  taken  from  us  in  the  very  begin- 
ning of  his  career,  and  consider  what  he  might  have 
accomplished  had  he  lived.  But  it  is  seldom  that,  in 
either  of  these  Halls,  we  find  a  man  whose  life  was  so  com- 
pletely given  to  public  service  as  was  the  life  of  Senator 
Vance.  He  began  his  public  career  when  he  was  a  young 
man,  bareh-  of  age,  and  he  was  a  public  servant  from  that 
time,  almost  without  a  pause,  until  his  earthl\'  life  was 
ended.  In  the  history  of  our  covintry  I  think  we  shall  find 
few  men  as  remarkable.  When  a  man  is  elected  once  or 
twice  and  disappears,  we  may  attribute  his  success  to  cir- 
cumstances; but  when  a  man  begins,  as  Mr.  V.ANCE  began, 
a  young  man,  and  retains  tlie  confidence  of  those  whom  he 
served  for  a  generation,  we  must  conclude  that  his  success 
is  due  to  something  more  than  chance  or  accident. 

Senator  V.\nce  was  "a  leader  among  men."  Few  in 
our  day  or  in  our  history  even  have  better  earned  that 
designation  than  Zebui.ON  B.  Vance.  He  was  a  leader 
among  men — and  naturally  so.  He  had  those  character- 
istics which  could  not  fail  to  make  him  a  leader,  not  self- 
appointed,   but   chosen   by  common   consent.     He  was  a 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebulon  Baird  I'a/ice.         145 

wise  man.  He  was  able  to  estimate  causes  and  calculate 
effects.  He  was  able  to  foresee  what  w^ould  come  to  pass, 
because  he  understood  men— that  is  necessary  in  a  leader. 
We  rely  upon  the  Infinite  because  we  are  finite.  We  feel 
the  limitations  of  our  own  knowledge  and  we  long  to  find 
someone  who  knows  more  and  can  see  farther  than  we. 
Among  men,  we  naturally  turn  to  the  one  who  can  foresee 
events,  as  a  child  turns  to  a  parent  for  advice.  It  was  not 
the  experience  of  age  which  he  possessed;  it  was  a  sort  of 
intuitive  judgment,  an  instinct  for  truth,  that  made  him 
see  in  advance  what  others  only  found  out  afterwards. 

It  has  been  mentioned  here  to-day  that  when  the  late 
civil  war  was  about  to  break  out  he  was  able  to  survey  the 
whole  ground  and  to  see  what  would  be  the  necessary  re- 
sult, and  that  he  told  his  people  what  that  result  would  be. 
He  did  this,  too,  when  a  young  man,  a  man  younger  than 
any  of  us  who  are  on  this  floor  to-day,  and  time  proved  his 
wisdom.  So,  coming  on  down,  as  each  new  crisis  arose,  as 
each  new  force  began  its  work  upon  society,  he  seemed  to 
be  able  to  calculate  what  was  coming,  and  every  time  his 
judgment  was  justified  by  events  his  hold  upon  popular 
confidence  increased. 

When  the  Fifty-third  Congress  was  convened  in  extra 
session  in  August,  1893,  no  man  in  this  country  more 
clearly  foresaw  the  course  of  events  and  more  clearly  pre- 
dicted the  results  of  the  proposed  financial  policy.  He 
talked  with  his  associates;  he  wrote  to  his  people;  he  told 
them  just  what  the  effect  would  be  upon  the  party  with 
which  he  was  identified  and  whose  name  he  loved. 

Not  only  was  he  a  wise  man,  but  he  was  a  courageous 
man.     And  that  is  a  characteristic,  too,  that  is  essential 

S  Mis  151 10 


146  Address  of  Mr.  Bryan  of  Xchraska. 

in  the  man  who  is  to  be  a  leader  of  men.  He  had  the 
courage  to  assume  responsibility.  He  shirked  no  duty. 
What  he  believed  he  said,  and  he  was  willing  to  stand  or 
fall  by  the  correctness  of  his  conclusions.  Jefferson,  in 
speaking  of  some  man,  said  that  he  had  not  learned  the 
sublime  truth  that  a  bold,  unequivocal  virtue  is  the  best 
handmaid  even  unto  ambition.  Zebulox  B.  \'ance  had 
learned  that  sublime  truth.  He  knew  that  a  bold,  un- 
equivocal virtue  is  the  best  handmaid  unto  ambition,  and 
that,  while  trimming  one's  sails  to  catch  a  passing  breeze 
may  help  temporarily,  there  is  nothing  which  is  perma- 
nently of  aid  to  a  public  man  except  standing  by  his 
convictions.  I  have  no  doubt  he  had  ambition;  but  from 
what  I  have  been  al^le  to  read  and  learn  of  him  it  was 
an  ambition  which  is  laudable,  an  ambition  which  every 
man  in  this  country  may  well  possess,  an  ambition  to  do 
his  duty  everywhere,  an  ambition  to  deserve  well,  to  have 
what  he  deserved  and  nothing  more. 

He  had  more  than  wisdom  and  courage;  he  had  that 
without  which  wisdom  and  courage  would  have  been  of  no 
avail.  He  loved  the  people  whom  lie  would  lead.  And 
it  was  no  condescending  love  either.  It  was  no  stooping 
down  to  someone  beneath  him.  He  really'  believed  in 
the  equality  of  men  and  that  those  among  whom  he  asso- 
ciated were  his  brethren.  He  sliared  their  hopes,  their 
aims,  and  their  ambitions.  He  felt  their  woes  and  he 
knew  their  joys.  He  was  one  of  them,  and  tlic  people 
loved  him  because  t]ie\'  knew  that  he  loved  tlieni.  Tliey 
trusted  liim  l)ecause  they  knew  that  lie  trusted  them. 
And  in  building  upon  the  affections  of  tlie  ]ieople  he  built 
upon  the  only  sure  foundation. 


Life  and  Character  of  Zcbulon  Baird   I  'ancc.       147 

It  has  been  said  that  the  most  sincere  tribute  that  can  be 
paid  to  a  man  is  that  which  is  paid  at  his  grave.  Some 
may  fear  a  man  while  he  lives,  and  therefore  show  him 
attention;  or  others  may  want  to  court  his  favor.  When 
we  see  apparent  friendship  for  the  great  we  do  not  always 
know  what  motive  may  be  behind  it.  But  when  a  man  is 
dead  and  is  impotent  longer  to  injure  or  to  aid,  when  men 
gather  around  his  grave  and  manifest  their  love,  then  we 
know  that  their  affection  is  disinterested.  And  I  believe  it 
can  be  said  that  no  man  in  this  country  ever  enjoyed  the 
sincere  affection  of  a  larger  proportion  of  the  people  whom 
he  served  than  Mr.  Vance. 

But  he  was  not  only  a  leader  of  men,  he  was  an  orator  of 
great  influence.  Not  that  on  dress  parade  he  was  the  best 
man  to  put  up  for  a  public  speech,  but  he  was  one  of  the 
great  orators  because  he  possessed  two  of  the  character- 
istics of  the  orator;  he  knew  what  he  was  talking  about 
when  he  talked,  and  he  believed  what  he  said.  He  who 
believes  what  he  says  will  move  others;  and  he  who  knows 
what  he  is  talking  about  will  convince  others.  Not  onh- 
did  he  impart  knowledge  surcharged  with  earnestness,  but 
he  possessed  rare  ability  in  making  the  truth  pleasant  to 
receive. 

He  was  a  statesman  as  well  as  a  leader  of  men  and  an 
orator.  As  a  statesman  he  was  devoted  to  his  work.  As 
a  statesman  he  was  prepared  to  make  every  sacrifice  for 
which  his  position  called.  As  a  statesman  he  was  ready  to 
give  to  ever}'  call  that  conscientious  response  which  duty 
required.  As  a  statesman  he  was  pecuniarily  honest. 
There  is  nothing  in  the  life  of  ]\Ir.  Vanx'E  that  I  prize 
more  than  the  fact  that  with  all  his  ability,  with  all  his 


148  Ac/dress  of  Mr.  Bryan  of  A^ebraska. 

knowledge,  with  all  his  influence,  no  person  can  say  that 
he  ever  sold  his  influence,  his  ability,  or  his  support  for 
money.  No  person  can  say  that  on  any  occasion  he  ever 
surrendered  the  interests  of  the  people  as  he  understood 
those  interests  for  hope  of  gain. 

Sometimes  people  speak  sneeriugly  of  legislators.  Some- 
times they  speak  as  if  there  were  no  such  thing  as  honesty 
among  legislators.  Some  people  talk  as  if  every  man  has 
his  price,  as  if  all  that  is  necessary  is  to  offer  enough 
money  and  the  influence  of  any  man  who  is  .serving  in 
ofl[icial  position  can  be  purchased.  I  do  not  believe  that 
the  worst  enemy  that  Mr.  Vance  ever  had  would  say  of 
him  that  any  amount  of  money,  however  great,  could  have 
purchased  his  vote,  his  voice,  or  his  influence.  And  that  a 
man  with  his  commanding  ability,  whose  oflficial  life  began 
at  the  very  dawn  of  manhood  and  continued  through  all  the 
conspicuous  positions  within  the  gift  of  his  countrymen, 
should  successfully  resist  all  pecuniary  temptations  and  die 
poor  is,  I  think,  one  of  the  proudest  of  his  achievements. 

Mr.  Speaker,  there  are  things  in  this  life  more  valuable 
than  money.  The  wise  man  .said  three  thousand  years 
ago,  "A  good  name  is  rather  to  be  chosen  than  great 
riches,  and  loving  favor  rather  than  silver  and  gold."  We 
struggle,  we  sacrifice,  and  we  toil  in  order  to  leave  to  our 
children  a  fortune;  but  I  believe  that  Senator  Vance  has 
left  to  his  widow  and  to  his  children  a  greater,  a  more 
valuable  heritage  than  he  could  possibly  have  left  had  he 
eiven  to  them  all  the  monev  which  one  man  ever  accii- 
mulatt-d  in  this  world.  When  he  left  to  them  a  name 
untarnished,  when  he  left  to  them  a  reputation  such  as  he 
earned  and  bore,  he  left  to  them  that  which  no  wealth  can 


Life  and  Cliaractcr  of  Zchiilon  Baird  J'aiiu:       149 

purchase  and  that  which  no  one  who  possesses  it  would 
part  with  for  money.  I  am  not  skilled  in  the  use  of  obit- 
uary adjectives,  and  did  not  rise  to  give  a  review  of  his  life, 
but  I  Ijeg  to  place  on  record  my  tribute  of  profound  respect 
for  a  public  servant  who  at  the  close  of  his  career  was  able 
to  say  to  the  people  for  whom  he  toiled,  "I  have  lived  in 
your  presence  for  a  lifetime;  I  have  received  all  my  honors 
at  your  hands;  I  stand  before  you  without  fear  that  an\-one 
can  charge  against  me  an  official  wrong."  I  say,  to  such 
a  man  I  pay  my  tribute  of  respect. 


150  Address  0/  Mr.   Warner  of  New   York. 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  Warner. 

Mr.  Speaker:  It  has  fallen  to  others,  sir,  to  speak  of  Sen- 
ator Vance  from  the  standpoint  of  long  association  and 
intimate  personal  acquaintance.  In  the  brief  tribute  which 
I  shall  pay  to  his  menior\-  I  shall  speak  rather  for  those 
who  watched  his  career  from  afar,  and  who  had  learned  to 
trust  in  him  as  one  of  the  standard  bearers  of  the  cause 
in  which  as  private  citizens  they  cast  their  ballots  year 
after  year. 

It  was  in  the  troublous  days  of  reconstruction,  sir,  that 
we  of  the  North  first  knew  of  him.  We  then  heard  of 
him  as  one  of  those  extraordinary  young  men  of  whom 
North  Carolina  has  had  so  many.  District  attorney  of  his 
county  as  soon  as  he  became  of  age;  elected  member  of  his 
State  house  of  commons  before  his  term  of  district  attor- 
ne)-  was  over;  elected  to  Congress  at  twenty-six,  and  kept 
there  until  he  entered  the  Confederate  army;  made  colonel 
at  thirty-one,  in  three  months  after  his  enlistment,  and 
elected  governor  of  his  State  a  year  later,  at  the  age  of 
thirt\-two;  sent  to  the  Senate  in  1870,  but  refused  admis- 
sion there,  we  had  learned  to  consider  Governor  \'.\nce 
as  the  incarnation  of  North  Carolina  and  North  Carolina  as 
the  State  of  Governor  V.\XCE;  and  we  were  confirmed  in 
this  when,  after  being  elected  a  third  time  governor,  he 
was  again  sent  to  the  Senate,  this  time  taking  his  seat. 

And  it  was  but  a  short  time,  sir,  before  we  began  to 
know  him  as  one  of  the  chosen  few  upon  whom  we  could 
always  depend  to  fight  the  fight  and  keep  the  faith  of  the 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebulou  Baird  ]'a)icc.        151 

great  national  part\-  he  so  long  and  so  well  served.  We  of 
the  North  counted  e\-ery  year  more  and  more  on  Senator 
Vance,  and  every  year  we  found  onr  faith  better  justified. 

And  when,  in  1890,  as  the  great  Senator  from  Kentucky 
was  stricken  with  mortal  illness,  we  saw  Senator  Vance, 
worn  and  suffering,  taking  his  place  in  the  thickest  of  the 
fight,  he  became  thenceforth  our  rock  of  reliance;  and  not 
merelv  in  the  Old  North  State  of  the  South  but  through- 
out  the  North  we  gloried  in  his  pluck  and  prayed  for  his 
health. 

Such,  sir,  was  the  confidence,  such  were  the  fears  with 
which  we  were  inspired  when,  but  a  little  more  than  a 
year  ago,  we  anxiously  awaited  his  return  to  the  place 
where  he  was  so  sorely  missed.  The  crisis  was  at  hand 
of  the  long  struggle  in  which  he  had  so  long  fought.  If 
there  was  any  man  who  had  earned  the  right  to  lead  the 
battle  in  the  Senate,  if  there  was  one  upon  whom  his 
part\-  and  his  country  had  specially  counted,  that  man  was 
Senator  Vance. 

But  death  claimed  him. 

I  shall  not  attempt,  sir,  to  find  consolation  for  his  loss. 
In  the  crisis  in  which  it  occurred,  in  .view  of  the  long-  bal- 
ance  and  dubious  issue  of  the  events  in  which  we  needed 
his  aid,  and  lacked  it,  we  can  only  bow  to  what  must 
be.  He  was  stricken  down  just  when  his  arm  was  most 
needed;  we  lost  his  aid  just  when  it  w^ould  have  availed 
us  most;  and  the  coranach  of  Duncan  found  its  echo  in  our 
hearts: 

He  is  gone  on  the  mountain, 

He  is  lost  to  the  forest. 
Like  a  summer-dried  fountain, 

When  our  need  was  the  sorest. 


152  Address  0/  Mr.   ll'anicr  0/  New    York. 

He  died  too  soon — not  for  himself,  for  fame  had  already- 
written  full  the  record  of  his  busy  life,  but  for  his  State, 
his  country,  and  his  party,  that  he  had  served  so  long  and 
so  well  in  field  and  in  council;  as  a  soldier,  without  fear;  as 
a  statesman,  without  variableness  or  shadow  of  turning; 
as  a  man  among  men,  whose  presence  warmed  and  cheered 
everv  fellow-mortal  whom  he  touched. 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebielon  Baird  Vance.        153 


Address  of  Mr.  Bunn, 

Mr.  Speaker:  In  that  sweetest  and  tenderest,  most  sub- 
lime, and  most  beautiful  love  tragedy  that  was  ever  writ- 
ten— the  thrilling,  the  heart-moving,  the  soul-electrifying 
play  of  Romeo  and  Juliet — IMercutio,  the  wit  of  that  play, 
is  made  to  say,  when  he  had  received  a  fatal  wound  in 
his  breast  by  the  hand  of  Tybalt,  '"Tis  not  so  deep  as  a 
well,  nor  so  wide  as  a  church  door;  but  'tis  enough,  'twill 
serve. ' ' 

And  so  the  wound  of  bereavement  which  has  been  made 
in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen  by  that  cruel  dagger, 
Death,  which  removed  from  time  to  immortality  the  spirit 
of  the  lamented  Vance,  is  deeper  than  the  soundless 
depths  of  old  Ocean  and  broader  than  the  whole  Christian 
Church,  and  it  will  remain  there  until  the  last  ripple  in 
the  river  of  Time  has  been  mingled  with  the  waves  in  the 
ocean  of  Eternity. 

And  now,  Mr.  Speaker,  in  coming  to  pay  my  humble 
but  sincere  and  heart-nursed  tribute  to  transcendent  worth 
and  e.xalted  greatness  and  loftiest  excellence,  I  feel  the  pov- 
erty of  human  expression  and  the  weakness  of  strongest 
language,  for  words,  however  expressive  and  graphic,  are 
at  best  but  poorest  vehicles  for  the  transmission  of  those 
feelings,  when  the  heart  is  swept  by  the  rushing  billows  of 
grief  that  sweep  o'  er  the  ocean  of  an  overwhelming  bereave- 
ment. And  so,  my  tongue  is  in  the  coffin  of  Vance,  and 
I  can  only  bow  my  head  and  weep  o'er  the  memories  of 


154  Address  of  Air.  Biiini  of  North  Carolina. 

him  who  is  now  sleeping  where  the  myrtles  grow  and  the 
daisies  peep. 

But,  Mr.  Speaker,  I  must  attempt  a  tribute  to  his  worth 
and  express  my  grief  at  tlie  loss  which  our  country  has 
sustained  in  his  untimely  death.  I  say  tmtimely,  for  he 
went  down  in  the  hour  of  his  greatest  usefulness,  when 
his  magnificently  equipped  mental  forces  were  most  ad- 
mirably trained  and  drilled  and  disciplined  and  in  fullest 
and  strongest  vigor.  But  he  went  down  like  the  blazing 
meteor,  more  brilliant  and  dazzling  and  resplendent  in  its 
downward  coruscations  than  when  in  pristine  glory  and 
unsullied  radiance  it  first  glistened  .  in  the  firmament  with 
planets;  for  our  grandly  panoplied  Senator  was  ascending 
into  the  zenith  of  his  glory;  his  last  service  was  the  most 
brilliant,  his  last  speeches  his  greatest  and  his  best,  and 
the}'  will  crown  his  career  with  a  halo  of  renown  that  will 
never  lose  the  richness  of  its  effulgence  or  the  brilliancy 
of  its  beaming. 

Yes;  he  died  when  his  mind  was  in  the  noontide  of  its 
richest  brilliancy  and  his  power  in  the  very  summer  of 
its  lustiest  vigor.  He  passed  away  when  his  splendid  abili- 
ties were  in  neatest  demand  ami  when  his  sage  counsels 
were  most  needed.  And  his  loss  is  irreparable,  for  he  was  a 
true  patriot  and  a  broad-gauged  statesman,  and  being  so 
thoroughly  versed  in  the  affairs  of  government  his  saga- 
ciovis  coimsels  and  ripe  experience  were  indeed  most  needed 
in  tliis  trying  ordeal  of  our  political  history.  His  deatli  at 
such  a  time  did  indeed  produce  a  shock  that  was  felt  all 
over  the  country,  for  while  we  all  knew  that  he  was  in 
feeble  health  and  was  perhaps  nearing  that  glorious  sunset 
who.se  gorgeous  beauties  are  but  the  undimmed  reflections 


Life  and  Character  of  Zcbnloii  Baird  I'aiia'.       155 

of  celestial  splendor,  yet  his  death  was  so  sudden  that  we 
could  scarcely  realize  that  the  brawny-brained  statesman 
had  ended  his  last  debate,  and  that  listening  Senators 
would  never  more  hang  with  rapt  attention  upon  the 
wholesome  words  that  fell  from  his  eloquent  tongue.  ' 

Senator  Vance  was  perhaps  the  most  many-sided  and 
admirably  rounded  public  man  of  this  century.  He  was 
not  only  a  man  of  magnificent  ability  and  richest  intellec- 
tual resources,  but  he  was  a  speaker  of  rarest  eloquence 
and  the  most  thrilling  and  electrifying  oratory.  His  stir- 
ring appeals  were  as  sweeping  as  the  winds  when  forests 
are  rended  and  as  resistless  as  the  billows  of  the  sea  when 
navies  are  stranded.  He  was,  indeed,  a  grand,  powerful, 
intellectual  giant,  and  on  the  stump  the  most  admirably 
fortified  men  of  this  age  dreaded  the  sweep  of  his  logic,  the 
vigor  of  his  eloquence,  the  fiery  outbursts  of  his  dramatic 
orator\-,  and  the  witherino-  fires  of  his  burning  invective. 

In  the  fields  of  literar\-  culture  and  classic  research  he 
was  indeed  superb,  for  his  speeches,  while  containing 
golden  nuggets  of  ripest  wisdom,  sparkled  with  gems  of 
richest  humor  and  glistened  with  the  auroral  lights  of  the 
finest  poetic  fancy.  Thousands  have  been  charmed  and 
enchanted  with  the  richh-  blooming  flowers  of  his  poetic 
gardens  and  hrlled  and  soothed  by  the  rhythmic  flow 
of  his  gracefully  winding  current  of  mellifluent  rhetoric. 
All  of  his  speeches  were  forceful  in  their  presentation  of 
truth  and  facts,  noble  in  their  ethical  teachings  of  duty 
to  country,  luscious  with  the  mellowest  fruitage  of  lofty 
patriotism,  opulent  with  the  gems  of  successfully  garnered 
wisdom,  kingly  in  the  imperial  sweep  of  their  royal  elo- 
quence, and  regal  in  the  magnificent  drapery  of  the  most 


156  Address  of  Mr.  Biniii  of  Xor/Ii  Carolina. 

ornate  diction.  Tliey  will  prove  monuments  to  the  fame 
of  Senator  \'ance  more  lastin,a:  than  marble,  for  on  the 
adamantine  and  invulnerable  surface  of  their  imperishable 
worth,  unequaled  merit,  superb  splendor,  and  magnificent 
beauty  the  corroding  and  devastating  moth  of  decay  will 
never  fix  a  fang. 

And  the  people  loved  him  because  his  big,  generous, 
sympathetic  heart  was  always  responsive  to  ever>-  touch  of 
sorrow  and  distress,  and  ever  ready  to  vibrate  with  tender- 
est  strains  of  solace  and  commiseration;  and  so  when  the 
sad  news  of  his  death  was  sent  on  the  quivering  bosom  of 
the  electric  current  throughout  his  native  State  it  opened 
the  floodgates  to  the  briniest  waters  in  the  stream  of  hu- 
man bereavement,  for  all  felt  that  one  of  North  Carolina's 
truest  and  noblest  and  grandest  sons  had  been  stricken 
down  like  a  flower  in  fullest  bloom  and  beauty.  And 
those  who  followed  that  funeral  train  as  it  took  him  to  his 
last  resting  place  in  the  mountains,  and  witnessed  the  spon- 
taneous demonstrations  of  grief  that  gushed  from  the  lo\-al 
hearts  of  the  old  and  the  young,  the  high  and  the  low, 
the  rich  and  the  poor,  must  have  realized  that  the  depth 
of  love  and  fervor  of  devotion  felt  and  shown  for  him  was 
never  before  manifested  for  any  other  man  in  tlie  historx'  of 
my  State. 

And  the  people  loved  him,  too,  becatise  he  was  true  to 
them.  In  season  and  out  of  season  his  voice  was  ever 
ready  to  uphold  their  interests  and  defend  their  rights. 
He  was  in  touch  with  them,  and  they  could  alwa>-s  hear 
the  beating  of  his  great  heart  and  listen  to  the  music  of 
its  throbbings  and  from  its  inspiring  strains  find  solace  for 
the  ills  of  the   present  and  hope  in  the  promises  of  the 


Life  and  Characlcr  of  Zebiilon  Baird  I  'ancc.         157 

future.  And  so  he  became  their  idol,  and  the}-  followed 
him  most  blindly.  And  he  never  deceived  or  misled 
them,  for  his  life  was  as  an  open  book  and  its  pages  could 
be  read  by  all.  And  on  those  pages  there  were  no  blurs 
or  blots  or  blemishes;  all  pure  and  bright  and  stainless 
and  flawless. 

He  was  the  soul  of  honor,  the  very  embodiment  of  hon- 
esty. He  had  the  courage  of  his  convictions,  and  every- 
body knew  how  and  where  he  stood,  for  he  was  free  and 
bold  in  the  expression  of  his  views  and  opinions.  And 
yet,  bold  and  aggressive  as  he  was  in  political  combat,  his 
heart  was  tender  and  sympathetic,  and  in  all  of  his  deal- 
mgs  with  the  weak  and  defenseless  he  was  the  \-er)'  per- 
sonification of  womanly  tenderness  and  forbearance;  and 
no  one  could  surpass  him  in  those  gentle  amenities  which 
give  such  a  charm  to  manhood  and  such  a  glorious  lio-ht  to 


true  greatness 


These  are  some  of  the  virtues  which  emblazon  his  char- 
acter and  which  will  shine  forever  in  that  fadeless  and 
imperishable  coronet  that  will  crown  the  lustrous  brow  of 
the  illustrious  Vaaxe. 

But,  alas!  this  stately  oak,  the  very  monarch  in  the 
forest  of  humanity,  with  all  of  its  widespreading  and  luxu- 
riant branches  of  intellectual  adornment,  bathing  in  the 
glad,  warm  sunlight  of  affectionate  esteem  and  idolatrous 
admiration,  has  been  stricken  down  by  the  inevitable  bolt 
of  death,  and  he  now  sleeps  in  the  peaceful  hush  of  the 
quiet  gra\-e.  But  men  may  stalk  across  the  stage  of  exist- 
ence and  make  reputation  as  bright  and  as  radiant  as  the 
blush  of  a  dewdrop  under  the  trembling  kiss  of  a  morning 
sunbeam,  but  never  will  the  brilliancy  of  his  reputation  be 


158  Address  of  JSIr.  Biiiin  of  North  Carolina. 

surpassed  by  mortal  man,  and  never  will  his  name  hold  a 
second  place  on  the  tablet  that  recites  the  glories  of  intel- 
lectual splendor;  and  though  he  has  gone  from  us  forever, 
yet  he  has  left  behind  him  an  example  and  an  influence 
and  a  memory  that  will  prove  a  blessing  to  his  country  and 
a  benediction  to  his  people,  for  their  radiant  light  will  blaze 
for  our  guidance  the  glorious  path  of  patriotic  duty  he  so 
nobly  trod  and  encourage  us  to  live  like  him  who  has 
gone  to  his  God. 

Yes;  he  has  left  behind  a  radiant  stream  of  effulgent 
glory.  Like  the  brilliant  sun,  which  sinks  behind  the 
distant  hilltops  and  leaves  behind  a  golden  stream  of  gor- 
geous splendors,  making  the  whole  western  horizon  seem 
as  if  the  most  opulent  dye  pots  in  the  studio  of  the  angels 
had  been  upset  and  had  leaked  through  upon  the  clouds, 
thus  giving  them  the  tintings  of  celestial  glories,  so  his 
sun  of  existence  has  sunk  behind  the  hilltops  of  death  and 
left  behind  a  stream  of  memories  that  will  never  fade  from 
the  tablets  of  our  hearts.  Unlike  the  glories  of  the  setting 
sun,  which  soon  lose  their  gorgeous  colorings  in  the  bosom 
of  darkness,  his  resplendent  virtues  will  not  lose  their  bril- 
liancy in  the  shadows  of  death's  dark  night,  for  they  were 
dug  from  mines  of  richest  and  purest  ore,  and  bright  in 
glory's  jeweled  throne  the\'  will  shine  for  evermore. 

On  Fame's  eternal  camping  ground 

His  silent  tent  is  spread, 
And  glory  guards  with  solemn  idunil 

The  bivouac  of  our  dead. 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebulon  Baird  I'aiice.       159 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  Alexander 

Mr.  Spe.\ker:  Comparatively  few  great  men  have  had 
such  a  checkered  career  as  the  late  Senator  Zebulon  B. 
Vance.  I  will  give  only  so  much  of  his  history  as  will 
show  that  during  the  changing  conditions  of  societ\-  he  was 
always  the  trusted  leader  of  his  people.  He  was  born  May 
13,  1830,  in  Buncombe  County,  N.  C.  His  early  life  was 
uneventful,  not  differing  from  that  of  the  friends  of  his 
boyhood. 

His  educational  advantages  were  not  the  best,  but  fairly 
good.  He  was  admitted  to  practice  law  in  the  county 
courts  in  December,  1851,  elected  county  solicitor  for  Bun- 
combe County  in  May,  1852,  and  admitted  to  practice  in 
the  superior  courts  in  August,  1853.  He  was  elected 
to  the  house  of  commons  of  North  Carolina  in  1856,  and  to 
the  United  States  Congress  in  1858,  and  reelected  in  i860. 
During  this  period  he  was  an  ardent  Whig,  and  devoted  to 
the  Union.  In  1861  he  resigned  his  seat  in  Congress,  and 
volunteered  in  the  service  of  North  Carolina  and  the  Con- 
federate States  to  fight  as  a  soldier,  actuated  b^■  the  same 
spirit  that  prompted  his  fellow-citizens  to  engage  in  the 
war.  They  had  to  fight  upon  one  side  or  the  other,  and 
preferred  to  cast  their  lot  with  the  Southern  States.  He 
was  elected  captain  of  his  company,  and  soon  after  was 
elected  colonel  of  the  Twenty-sixth  North  Carolina  Regi- 
ment. He  served  with  distinction  in  the  battles  of  New- 
bern,  N.  C,  the  seven  days  before  Richmond,  and  Alalvern 
Hill. 


i6o       Adc/ress  of  Mr.  Alexander  of  Xortli  Carolina. 

In  August,  1862,  the  people  of  North  Carolina  recalled 
him  from  the  tented  field  and  placed  him  in  the  governor's 
chair,  and  it  was  here  that  he  exhibited  that  great  execu- 
tive ability  that  made  him  so  well  known  through  the  Con- 
federate States  as  the  great  war  governor.  His  foresight  in 
buying  the  Advance,  a  ship  that  repeatedly  ran  the  block- 
ade at  Wilmington,  N.  C,  freighted  with  blankets,  cloth- 
ing, boots,  and  shoes  for  the  North  Carolina  soldiers  and 
manv  articles  of  necessity  for  the  people  of  the  State,  ren- 
dered him  the  idol  of  the  soldier  as  well  as  the  citizen  at 
home.  Again,  in  August,  1864,  he  was  elected  governor, 
and  the  closing  days  of  the  Confederacy  further  demon- 
strated the  greatness  of  his  executive  ability. 

After  the  surrender  of  the  Confederate  armies,  in  May, 
1865,  he  was  arrested  by  the  military  forces  of  the  United 
States  and  brought  to  the  city  of  Washington,  D.  C,  and 
imprisoned  in  the  Old  Capitol.  Some  time  afterwards  he 
was  released  on  parole  and  permitted  to  return  to  North 
Carolina.  He  moved  with  his  family  to  Charlotte,  N.  C, 
and  commenced  the  practice  of  law,  and  he  proved  him- 
self to  be  one  of  the  ablest  advocates  that  bar  has  ever 
had.  The  National  Republican  party,  controlling  the  Na- 
tional Government  during  the  period  of  reconstruction, 
disfranchised  a  sufficient  number  of  white  people  to  give 
the  newly  organized  Republican  party,  composed  chiefly  of 
carpetbaggers  and  negroes,  control  of  the  State. 

The  white  people,  believing  that  their  civilization  was 
threatened,  combined  under  the  name  of  the  Conservative 
Democratic  party,  and  in  1870  they  redeemed  the  State. 
Though  the  late  Senator  V'ance  was  still  disfranchised, 
his  wise  counsel  aided   materiallv  in   .securing  that  great 


Lift-  and  Character  of  Zebulon  Baird  [  'ana:       i6i 

victory.  The  legislature,  recognizing  the  valuable  service 
he  had  rendered,  elected  him  to  the  United  States  Senate; 
but  his  disabilities  not  having  been  removed  bv  Congress, 
he  was  not  permitted  to  take  his  seat.  In  1872  he  was  de- 
feated for  the  same  office  by  the  friends  of  ex-Senator  Mer- 
rimon  combining  with  the  Republicans.  In  1876,  after 
the  greatest  political  contest  that  has  ever  occurred  in  the 
State,  he  was  elected  governor  for  the  third  time  by  a  flat- 
tering \-ote. 

In  1S79  he  was  again  elected  to  the  United  States  Sen- 
ate, reelected  in  1885,  and  again  in  iSgr.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  April,  1894.  I  think  I  but  state  the  truth  in  say- 
ing that  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  had  a  greater  hold 
upon  the  affections  of  tlie  i^eople  of  Xorth  Carolina  than 
at  any  time  during  his  life.  A  leader  of  the  Whigs  or 
Unionists,  one  of  the  great  leaders  of  the  Confederacy, 
and  after  reconstruction  a  great  leader  of  tlie  Democracy, 
as  attested  by  his  being  reelected  governor  and  four  times 
United  States  Senator,  is  a  record  that  proves — 

Act  well  your  part,  there  all  the  honor  lies. 

In  my  opinion,  the  great  secret  of  his  success  was  his 
intense  earnestness  and  great  ability  in  carrying  out  the 
principles  contended  for.  He  never  wavered  or  faltered  in 
a  fight.  He  guarded  the  interests  of  the  people  so  well 
that  their  confidence  in  his  integrity  and  honesty  was 
unbounded.     The\-  knew  that  he  would  never — 

Crook  the  pregnant  hinges  of  the  knee 
Where  thrift  may  follow  fawning. 

Few  public  men  were  so  fortunate  as  to  have  so  few  per- 
sonal  enemies.      Kind,   generous,    and   sympathetic,  gifted 

S  .\Ils  151 [I 


i62     Ad/drrss  of  Mr.  Alexander  of  Xorlli   Caro/iita. 

with  a  rare  fund  of  wit  and  humor,  he  gained  the  friend- 
ship of  nearly  every  one  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 
Having  been  in  feeble  health  for  man\'  months,  his  death 
was  not  unexpected.  Yet  his  death  came  at  a  time  when 
his  people  most  needed  his  wise  counsel  to  pilot  them 
through  the  political  trouble  then  distracting  the  State. 
Others  have  told  how  the  sad  news  of  his  death  was  re- 
ceived by  his  people,  and  the  great  sorrow  exhibited  by 
them  as  his  colleagues  carried  his  bier  to  the  capital  of  his 
State,  and  thence  to  Asheville,  and  placed  it  in  a  sepulcher 
near  his  kindred  and  friends.  North  Carolina  has  lost  her 
brightest  jewel,  and  her  people  have  seen  their  "guide 
star"  struck  from  the  political  firmament. 


Life  and  Characlcr  of  Zchulon   Baird  l^ancc.       163 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  Branch. 

Mr.  Speaker:  During  my  four  years  of  .service  in  the 
House  tlie  occasions  have  been  frequent  in  either  hall  of 
Congress  when  solemn  services  like  these  have  been  held  to 
pay  the  last  act  of  respectful  dut}-  to  the  memory  of  some 
departed  member.  These  occurrences  can  but  warn  lis  of 
the  precarious  tenure  by  which  we  hold  to  the  fleeting- 
things  of  time  and  teach  the  impressive  lesson  of  instabil- 
ity of  human  life.  It  is  a  happy  thing  for  a  country,  Mr. 
Speaker,  when  the  lives  of  its  public  men  can  be  thrown 
freelv  open  to  the  world  and  challenge  its  closest  scrutiny 
with  a  consciousness  upon  the  part  of  the  friendly  critic 
that  there  is  no  blot  to  be  concealed  and  no  glaring  fault 
which  a  love  of  truth  forbids  him  to  deny  and  his  own 
sense  of  right  scarcely  allows  him  to  palliate. 

Of  all  public  men  I  have  known  there  are  none  whose 
lives  teach  us  more  impressively  the  great  moral  of  the 
strength  which  public  virtue  gives  than  that  of  Zhbulon 
Baird  Vance.  Here  at  least  is  a  public  man  in  whose  life 
there  can  be  found  no  mean  or  equivocating  action,  none 
of  a  departure  from  the  self-imposed  restraints  of  a  lofty 
sense  of  honor;  none  in  which  either  the  fear  of  man,  the 
seductions  of  amliition,  or  the  allurements  of  pecuniary 
advancement  could  tempt  to  a  deed  which  would  destroy 
his  own  self-respect  or  the  respect  of  others  for  him.  He 
knew  how  to  inspire  a  people  with  a  just  confidence  in 
the  soundness  of  his  judgment  and  integrity  of  his  pur- 
po"e,  so  as  to  be  looked  to  as  a  safe  depository  of  trust  and 
confidence. 


164        .liMress  of  Mr.  Branch  of  Xorth   Carolina. 

His  popularity  was  not  the  result  of  those  factious  aids 
which  give  to  demagogues  and  political  tricksters  an  exist- 
ence, but  was  the  natural  consequence  of  his  exalted  quali- 
ties of  both  head  and  heart.  Under  such  circumstances  it 
is  not  surprising  that  each  step  in  the  political  career  of 
such  a  man  should  have  been  crowned  with  public  honors. 
Amid  all  the  fluctuations  of  public  sentiment,  amid  all  the 
changes  of  party,  tried  in  times  of  war  as  well  as  peace,  he 
was  found  pursuing  the  path  of  dut>-  by  the  light  of  princi- 
ple, and  dying,  he  has  left  behind  him  a  life  of  consistency 
and  public  virtue  upon  which  the  patriot  may  ponder  with 
pleasure,  and  from  which  the  mere  aspirant  for  worldly 
honor  may  draw  an  instructive  lesson. 

His  life  is  a  true  illustration  that  the  line  of  duty  is  alike 
the  path  of  safet^■  and  the  way  to  honor.  During  a  long 
and  eventful  period  a  very  large  portion  of  his  life  was 
spent  in  the  public  service;  for  near  half  a  century  he 
devoted  his  energies  and  his  talents  to  the  performance  of 
public  duties,  always  performing  his  trust  with  fidelity  and 
ability,  and  never  failing  to  command  the  confidence,  ad- 
miration, and  gratitude  of  an  enlightened  constituency. 
How  happy  now  the  reflections  of  those  who  loved  him 
most  that  there  is  not  an  act  of  his  public  life  which  can 
be  referred  to  luit  to  his  honor;  not  a  suspicion  that  could 
mar  the  purit\-  and  luster  of  his  escutcheon.  The  remem- 
I)iance  of  the  life  and  work  of  sucli  a  man  sliould  always 
be  an  inspiration  to  those  who  arc  to  assume  the  duties  he 
in  his  time  so  well  performed. 

Perha])s,  Mr.  .Speaker,  one  of  the  highest  encomiums 
ever  pa.ssed  on  a  man  in  jmblic  life,  said  John  Ouincy 
Adams,   is  that  of  an   liislorian,  eminent   for  his  profound 


Life  ami  Cliarnctcr  of  Zchulou  Baird  l'a)ice.        165 

acquaintance  with  mankind,  wlio,  in  painting  a  great  char- 
acter by  a  single  line,  sa\'s:  "He  was  just  equal  to  all  the 
duties  of  the  highest  offices  which  he  attained  and  never 
above  them."  The  possession  of  this  rare  political  virtue 
was  preeminently  exemplified  throughout  the  career  of 
Zebulox  B.  Vance,  who  laid  down  his  work  without  one 
stain  upon  his  record,  leaving  as  a  priceless  heritage  to  his 
family  and  his  countr\'  a  name  s\nonyinous  with  honesty 
and  incorruptibility. 

It  is  a  privilege  and  a  sad  pleasure,  Mr.  Speaker,  to  lay 
garlands  upon  the  tomb  of  the  honored  dead  in  whose 
memor\-  these  ceremonies  are  held  to-day.  I  shall  not 
attempt  to  give  a  review  or  sketch  of  his  eventful  life, 
nor  recite  the  many  important  incidents  that  mark  his 
long,  distinguished  public  career.  Colleagues  of  mine  who 
have  preceded  me  have  with  admirable  precision  of  detail 
and  in  eloquent,  graceful  terms  of  unexaggerated  eulogy 
spoken  of  Zebulon  B.  \'.\n'CE,  who  has  left  upon  the  his- 
toric annals  of  his  State  and  country  lasting  aiid  imperish- 
able evidences  of  his  statesmanship  and  patriotism. 

He  was  a  brave,  generous,  magnanimous  man;  every 
pulsation  of  his  warm,  unselfish  heart  was  kindness  and 
love  for  his  fellow-man.  The  good  of  his  State,  the  glory 
of  her  people,  the  honor  and  welfare  of  his  country  was 
the  polar  star  ever  guiding  him.  His  thoughts  were  of 
his  State  and  her  people.  He  saw  her  wide-extending 
fields  of  cotton  and  grain,  her  mines,  her  quarries,  her 
factories,  the  hum  of  her  wheels  of  industry,  the  songs  of 
her  workingmen — these  were  his  thoughts.  He  knew  the 
privations,  the  trials,  the  struggles  of  his  people.  To  make 
the  burden  ligliter,   their  hearts  happier,    were  thoughts 


i66         Address  of  Mr.  Branch  of  Xorl/i   Carolina. 

that  concerned  him  most,  and  while,  Mr.  Speaker,  tlie 
addresses  on  this  occasion  can  add  nothing  to  the  future 
happiness  of  the  dead,  can  not  augment  the  fame  which 
his  social  virtues  and  his  public  career  have  earned,  they 
tell  the  world  that  a  republic  can  be  grateful  to  those  who 
have  done  her  service,  and  that  the  citizens  of  a  republic 
can  appreciate  the  gentle  qualities  which  give  dignity  and 
honor  to  a  statesman's  life  and  insure  peace  and  consola- 
tion to  a  Christian's  death. 

A  great  man  has  fallen;  it  is  fit  we  mourn  him,  indulg- 
ing the  hope  that  the  light  of  his  example  may  long 
continue  to  illuminate  the  paths  of  the  future  representa- 
tives of  the  State  wliich  honored  and  lo\ed  him  as  the 
swiftest  in  the  race  of  ambition  to  serve  her,  the  strongest 
in  the  strife  for  her  supremacy,  a  State  which  now  holds 
his  remains  and  will  ever  cherish  his  memory. 


Lifr  aii'i  Character  of  Zebuloii   Baird  I'aucc.        167 


ADDRESS  OF  Mr.  Bower  of  North  Carolina. 

Mr.  Speaker:  All  tliat  panegyric  can  be.stow  has  been 
accorded  to  him  whose  distinguished  life  and  melancholy 
death  we  to-day  commemorate.  The  tongue  of  the  orator, 
the  pen  of  the  historian,  and,  what  would  have  been  more 
to  the  illustrioir^  dead,  the  love-inspired  eloquence  of  his 
immediate  fellow-citizens,  have  proclaimed  and  recorded 
his  distinguished  deeds  and  exalted  station.  In  the  pres- 
ence of  his  stupendous  merit  common  adulation  blushes 
into  silence,  and  genuine  appreciation  would  be  mute. 
Discarding  fulsome  flattery,  it  may  truthfully  be  said  of 
him  that  he  was  the  greatest  of  all  North  Carolinians.  If 
asked  in  what  respect  greatest,  let  each  honest  admirer 
answer  for  himself  according  to  what  his  own  ideal  of  true 
greatness  may  be,  for  his  greatness  was  full-measured  and 
man>--sided.  If  called  upon  to  name  the  principal  trait  or 
talent  that  gave  him  such  distinction,  his  friends  would  be 
widely  apart  in  their  views.  On  what  rests  his  solid  and 
enduring  fame? 

The  world  has  laughed  and  has  been  refreshed  from  the 
fountain  of  his  quaint  and  inimitable  humor.  His  anec- 
dotes and  sallies  of  wit  are  quoted  in  almost  every  house- 
hold in  his  native  State.  In  every  family  there  yet  lives 
some  one  to  relate  and  recount  his  wonderful  achievements 
upon  the  hustings;  how  this  opponent  was  foiled;  how 
that  was  overthrown  1)y  the  keen  thrust  of  apt  and  witty 
illustration.      Perhaps  he  was  best  known  as   a  humorist,  ' 


i68         Acftircss  of  Mr.  Bower  of  NortJi   Carolina. 

and  yet  I  ina\'  venture  to  suggest  that  his  humor  was 
only  an  incident  and  an  instrumentality  to  more  substan- 
tial qualities.  As  a  ready  and  an  agreeable  debater  he  had 
few  equals  and  no  superiors.  He  grappled  with  a  conijDre- 
hension  broad  and  accurate  the  most  abstruse  political 
questions  of  his  day,  and  it  may  be  said  that  he  never 
discussed  such  a  question  without  at  once  elucidating 
and  simplifying  it.  Under  his  manipulation  the  intricate 
questions  of  revenue  and  tariff  legislation  were  brought 
within  easy  scope  of  ordinary  intelligence  and  understand- 
ing. He  never  shot  above  the  heads  of  his  audience  and 
never  below.  Whether  addressing  a  grave  and  dignified 
Senate  or  speaking  face  to  face  with  the  sturdy  yeomanry 
of  his  State,  whose  arms  had  borne  him  so  often  to  victory 
and  never  to  defeat,  he  was  the  same  easy,  forcible,  and 
convincing  orator.  He  never  discussed  a  question  that  he 
did  not  thoroughly  understand,  and  hence  never  failed  to 
be  interesting  and  instructive. 

His  public  life  was  preeminently  eventful  and  successful. 
Scarcely  had  he  attained  his  majorit)'  when  he  was  clothed 
with  responsible  judicial  office.  At  the  age  of  twenty-seven 
he  had  the  honor  of  a  seat  in  this  Hall,  defeating  a  gentle- 
man of  great  prominence  in  his  State  and  changing  the 
political  complexion  of  the  district  from  which  he  hailed. 
For  a  new  and  young  member  his  standing  in  Congress 
was  highly  creditable.  This  was  just  prior  to  the  ci\il  war, 
and  when  that  memorable  struggle  came  on,  though  only 
thirty  years  of  age,  the  eyes  of  his  people  were  turned  to 
him  for  guidance  and  leadership.  U])  to  the  time  when 
his  State  seceded  from  the  Ihiion  he  had  been  an  ardent 
Union  man.  but  when  the  bond  that  united  North  Carolina 


Life  and  Cliaraclcr  of  Zchtiloii  Baird  Vaitcr.        169 

with  other  States  had  been  severed  he  hesitated  no  longer, 
but  threw  himself  with  all  his  sonl  into  the  contest  which 
he  had  hoped  to  see  averted,  bnt  which  when  inevitable 
received  his  hearty  and  unfaltering  support. 

When  the  tocsin  of  war  was  sounded  he  was  promptly 
at  the  front,  and  as  colonel  of  the  Twenty-sixth  Regiment 
of  North  Carolina  ^'olunteers,  as  gallant  a  troop  as  ever 
marclied  to  battle,  he  gave  promise  of  as  much  distinction 
in  arms  as  afterwards  awaited  him  in  the  civic  field.  But 
it  was  as  the  "war  governor"  of  North  Carolina  that  he 
reached  the  acme  in  tlie  esteem  and  affection  of  his  people. 
He  was  in  every  pulsation  and  fiber  truly  Southern,  and 
in  the  role  of  governor  at  this  critical  period  he  showed 
forth  to  great  advantage  those  splendid  qualities  of  head 
and  heart  that  make  the  ruler  immortal  and  command 
the  unalloyed  pride  and  gratitude  of  the  governed.  Those 
who  lead  in  times  of  greatest  gloom  and  trial  are  those 
around  whose  memory  cluster  the  most  tender  affections 
of  an  apjjreciative  people. 

In  the  dark  days  of  1864  and  1865  he  was  the  beacon 
light  of  hope  and  consolation,  and  when  the  sun  of  the 
Confederacy  went  out  in  the  final  eclipse  he  appeared  as 
the  first  and  brightest  star  in  the  new  and  upper  firma- 
ment. It  is  not  necessary  to  trace  his  career  from  the  days 
of  reconstruction  to  the  close  of  his  life.  It  is  written 
upon  ever}-  imperishable  page  that  records  the  history  of 
his  State  and  nation.  How  he  spurned  tlie  pelf  of  power 
and  the  lust  and  greed  of  office,  "  choosing  rather  to  suffer 
affliction"  with  his  people  "than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures 
of  sin  for  a  season,"  how  he  drank  the  dregs  of  polit- 
ical  humiliation  and  again  tasted   the   sweets  of  political 


170         .4i/i/ri'ss  of  Mr.  Boivcr  of  North   Carolina. 

redemption,  "these  things  are  known  and  read  of  all  "  his 
countrymen. 

In  the  magnificent  structure  of  his  life  and  character  a 
few  of  the  salient  features  may  be  noted.  And  first  and 
most  prominent  was  the  inborn  rugged  honesty  that  char- 
acterized his  life  from  its  beginning  to  its  close.  And 
when  I  speak  of  honest)-  I  do  not  mean  it  in  its  narrow, 
restricted  sense  of  meeting  one's  pecuniary  obligations, 
though  in  this  sense  it  may  be  remarked  he  lived  an 
honest  man  and  died  a  poor  one.  But  I  use  the  term  in 
its  broader  acceptance,  in\-o!ving  perfect  candor  and  fair- 
ness in  all  his  personal  and  political  relations  and  dealings 
with  his  fellow-man.  As  a  representative  he  never  de- 
ceived nor  attempted  to  deceive  his  constituency.  How- 
ever embarrassing  the  strait  or  pressing  the  emergency,  he 
"hewed  to  the  line."  He  was  no  trimmer.  He  pursued 
no  devious  ways,  but  sought  his  object  with  courageous  rec- 
titude in  a  straightforward,  manly  way.  And  yet,  while  he 
did  not  court,  he  did  not  spurn  public  sentiment. 

The  secret  of  his  great  political  strength  and  success 
was  the  grace  with  wliicli  he  responded  to  a  popular 
demand  when  no  inconsistency  or  sacrifice  of  principle 
was  involved.  Another  element  in  his  composition  was 
his  intense  patriotism  and  ardent  love  for  the  people  of 
his  State.  He  loved  North  Carolina  with  the  fervor  of  a 
first  love.  Her  tall  mountains  and  1)eetling  crags,  her 
deep  ravines  and  unlulating  valleys,  her  green  fields,  her 
babbling  brooks,  her  bounding  rivers  caught  the  enrap- 
tured fancy  of  his  youth  and  held  with  unbroken  charm 
the  ripe  and  mellowed  heart  of  the  man.  To  him  no 
atmosphere  so  rare  and  bracing,  no  landscape  so  witching. 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebu  Ion   Baird  I'aucc.       171 

no  sk)-  so  blue  as  hers.  No  wonder  the  tired  and  wasted 
body  in  the  throes  of  its  impending  dissohition  should 
liave  sought  the  scenes  of  its  early  association  and  imbibed 
fresh  vigor  and  renewed  hope  in  e\-ery  breath  wafted  from 
the  misty  mountain  tops  of  his  birthland. 

His  solicitude  for  the  welfare  of  his  people  knew  not 
limitation  or  cessation.  In  every  crucial  period  in  his  life 
he  had  taken  them  into  his  innermost  sympathy  and  con- 
fidence. In  the  antebellum  days  of  his  budding  greatness, 
at  the  twilight,  and  again  at  the  midnight,  of  war's  dread 
carnival,  in  the  succeeding  period  of  material  depression 
and  gloom,  in  victory  and  defeat,  in  sunshine  and  in 
storm,  he  was  ever  of  them  and  with  them.  Through  all 
the  vicissitudes  incident  to  a  most  eventful  and  thrilling 
public  life  he  maintained  his  hold  upon  the  popular  heart 
as  only  a  true  patriot  and  matchless  commoner  could  have 
done.  As  the  solemn  tidings  of  his  death  swept  over  the 
State  every  true  North  Carolinian  felt  as  if  a  star  of  the 
first  magnitude  had  suddenly  been  blotted  from  the  heav- 
ens and  the  State  had  somehow  grown  commonplace  and 
dull.  He  has  gone  from  our  sight  forever,  and  we  shall  not 
see  his  like  again. 


x-2      Address  oj  Mr.   IVoodard  of  Xorth   Carolina. 


Address  of  Mr.  Woodard. 

Mr.  Speaker:  When  Senator  \'axce  died  North  Caro- 
lina lost  its  foremost  citizen.  He  will  go  down  in  history 
as  the  greatest  man  the  State  has  ever  produced.  The  peo- 
ple gave  him  their  highest  honors.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  legislature  four  years;  a  member  of  this  body,  elected 
at  the  age  of  twenty-eight;  elected  governor  at  the  age  of 
thirtv-two;  again  elected  governor  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
four;  elected  United  Senator  in  1872,  but  refused  admis- 
sion by  the  Republican  Senate;  elected  governor  in  1876; 
elected  to  the  Senate  in  1878,  and  a  member  of  that  body 
until  his  death.  This  is  a  brief  summary  of  his  public 
life.  In  these  positions  there  is  a  record  of  over  thirt>-five 
years  of  continuous,  faithful,  and  unselfish  public  service, 
and  no  man  has  ever  lived  in  North  Carolina  who  ever 
merited  or  received  such  love  and  confidence  from  the 
people.  He  was  incomparably  the  most  popular  North 
Carolinian  who  e\er  lived. 

His  commanding  intellectual  force  and  versatile  genius 
would  have  won  preeminence  anywhere,  but  the  true  basis 
of  his  success  and  the  secret  of  his  marvelous  popularity 
was  to  be  found  in  the  rugged  honesty,  the  fearless  frank- 
ness, the  genial  humor,  and  the  sincere  desire  to  promote 
the  welfare  of  the  people  which  characterized  him. 

vSenator  Vance  was  a  man  of  varied  gifts.  Elected  to 
Congress  when  only  twenty-eight  >ears  of  age,  he  was  soon 
recognized  as  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  brilliant  men  in 
that  bodv.      It  was   at    this   period  of  his  life   that    Hon. 


Life  and  Cliai-acler  of  Zebuloii  Baird  I'aiice.        173 

Georo^e  E.  Badger,  then  the  ablest  man  in  North  Carolina, 
a  United  vStates  Senator  for  man}-  years,  said  to  a  friend,  in 
speaking  of  the  exciting  canvass  of  i860,  "Yon  should 
hear  Vance,  the  young  Congressman  from  the  mountain 
district.  There  never  lived  such  a  stump  speaker  as  he. " 
When  Lincoln  issued  his  call  for  troops  Senator  Vance 
"enlisted  as  a  private  soldier  in  the  Confederate  ami}-  and  at 
once  went  to  the  field.  The  people  of  his  mountain  dis- 
trict desired  to  elect  him  to  the  Confederate  Congress,  but 
he  declined  in  the  following  letter  to  a  friend: 

Headquarters  Twenty-sixth  Regiment,  N.  C.  Troops, 

Camp  Bitrgioyn^  mar  Aloreheaii  City^  September  iS. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  the  2d  instant,  addressed  to  my  brother,  was  for- 
warded by  him  and  received  this  day.  In  it  you  ask,  first,  if  I  will  be  a  candi- 
date for  Congress,  and,  second,  if  not  a  candidate,  will  I  consent  for  my  name 
to  be  run?  To  both  questions  I  answer  in  the  negative.  To  this  course  I  am 
impelled  by  what  I  consider  the  most  conclusive  of  reasons. 

Vou  remember  well  the  position  I  occupied  upon  the  great  question  which  so 
lately  divided  the  people  of  the  .South.  Ardently  devoted  to  the  old  Union  and 
the  forms  which  the  Federal  fathers  established,  I  clung  to  it  so  long  as  I  thought 
there  was  a  shadow  of  a  hope  of  preserving,  purifying,  or  reconstructing  it.  And 
you  will  also  remember  that  in  the  last  official  communication  I  had  the  honor  to 
make  to  my  constituents  as  their  Representative  I  pledged  myself  in  case  all  our 
efforts  for  peace  and  justice  at  the  hands  of  the  North  should  fail  that  their  cause 
was  mine,  their  destiny  was  my  destiny,  and  that  all  I  had  and  was  should  be 
spent  in  their  service.  Those  hopes  did  fail,  as  you  know,  signally  and  mis- 
erably fail ;  civil  war  was  thrust  upon  the  country  and  the  strong  arm  of  Northern 
despotism  was  stretched  out  to  crush  and  subdue  the  Southern  people.  I  imme- 
diately volunteered  for  their  defense,  in  obedience  not  only  to  this  promise,  but 
also,  as  I  trust,  to  patriotic  instincts;  and  I  should  hold  this  promise  but  poorly  ful- 
filled should  I  now,  after  having  acquired  sufficient  knowledge  of  military  affairs 
to  begin  to  be  useful  to  my  country,  escape  its  obligations  by  seeking  or  even  accep- 
ting a  civil  appointment. 

Certainly  if  there  lives  a  man  in  North  Carolina  who  ought  to  do  all  and  suffer 
all  for  his  country,  I  am  that  man.  Since  the  time  of  my  entering  upon  man's 
estate  the  people  have  heaped  promotion  and  honors,  all  undeserved,  upon  my 
head.  In  everything  I  have  sought,  their  generous  conlidence,  their  unfailing 
kindness  have  sustained  me.  Whilst  I  can  never  sufficiently  repay  it,  I  am 
determined,  God  helping  me,  to  show  them  I  was  not  altogether  unworthy  of 
their  regard.     I  am  therefore  not  a  candidate  for  Congress,  nor  will   I  consent  for 


174       .Ic/drcss  of  Mr.   ll'oodard  of  North  Carolina. 

my  name  to  l)e  run.  I  am  perfectly  satisfied  to  be  represented  again  1)V  the 
sound  sense  and  sober  judgment  of  the  gentleman  who  has  so  lately  represented 
us  at  Richmond,  or  by  a  do^en  gentlemen  who  live  in  our  di.-.trict  not  connected 
with  the  army,  some  of  whom  I  hope  the  common  perd  and  the  common  cause 
will  mduce  our  people  to  elect  without  bickering  and  strife. 

I  can  not  close  this  hasty  letter  without  assuring  you  that  I  am  not  insensible 
to  the  compliment  conveyed  by  your  own  and  a  hundred  other  similar  interroga- 
tions which  have  reached  me  from  different  parts  of  the  district.  No  man  can 
feel  prouder  or  more  grateful  at  such  manifestations.  Surelv  God  has  never 
blessed  a  man  with  more  sterling  and  devoted  friends  than  I  can  number  in  thi 
mountain  district!  May  my  name  perish  from  the  memorv  of  my  wife  and 
children  when  I  cease  to  remember  these  friends  with  gratitude.  Among  the 
many  who  have  adhereil  so  faithfully  to  m\-  poor  fortune,  through  good  and 
through  evil  report,  I  am  always  proud  to  remember  you.  unfalterin<;ly  and 
unmistakably. 

Please  to  accept,  in  conclusion,  every  assurance  of  my  regard  and  good  wishes 
for  you  and  yours. 

Most  truly  yours,  /.    \\_  Vance. 

N.  C;.  Allman,  Esq.,  fninklhi.  .K.  C. 

He  was  elected  captain  of  his  compaiu-  and  soon  there- 
after colonel  of  his  reginient,  and  his  service  in  the  arniv 
was  characterized  by  signal  bravery  and  faithfnl  devotion 
to  the  welfare  of  his  troops.  While  in  this  service  the 
eyes  of  the  people  of  the  State  tnrned  to  him  as  the  best 
man  tliey  could  select  for  j;overnor  dnrinu-  this  trying' 
period  in  the  State's  history,  .\fter  carefnl  deliberation 
he  accepted  the  nomination,  and  addressed  the  following- 
letter  to  his  life-long  friend,  Mr.  E.  J.  Hale,  the  able  editor 
of  the  then  leading  paper  of  the  State,  the  Favetteville 
Observer : 

Hlj\l)l,irAKlKKS    TWKNTY-SI.X  1  II     Kl(^IMKN[,   N.  C  TKiiiU's, 

Kinslon,  June  jb,  iSOj. 

Editiirs  iw  TIIK  OliSr.KVI-.R  :  .\  number  of  primary  meetings  of  the  people  and 
a  respectable  i)ortion  of  the  newspapers  of  the  State  having  put  forward  ni\  name 
for  the  office  of  governor,  to  which  I  may  also  add  the  reception  of  iiumerous 
letters  to  the  same  purport,  I  deem  it  proper  that  T  should  make  some  response  to 
these  flattering  indications  of  confidence  and  regard. 

Helieving  that  the  only  hope  of  the  South  depended  upon  the  prosecution  of  the 
war  al  all  hazards  and  to  the  utmost  extremity  so  long  as  the  foot  of  an  invader 


Life  and  Cliaractcr  of  Zrbitlou   Bni'rd   I'aiicc.        175 

pressed  .Soiilhern  soil,  I  took  the  field  at  an  early  day,  with  the  determination  to 
remain  there  until  oiir  independence  was  achieved.  My  convictions  in  this 
regard  remain  unchanged.  In  accordance  therewith  I  have  steadily  and  sincerely 
declined  all  promotion  save  that  which  placed  me  at  the  head  of  the  gallant  men 
whom  I  now  command.  A  true  man  should,  however,  be  willing  to  serve  wher- 
ever the  public  voice  may  assign  him.  If,  therefore,  my  fellow-citizens  believe 
that  I  could  serve  the  great  cause  better  as  governor  than  I  am  now  doing,  and 
should  see  ]iroper  to  confer  this  great  responsibility  upon  me,  without  solicitation 
on  my  part,  I  should  not  feel  at  liberty  to  decline  it.  hnwever  conscious  of  my 
own  unworthiness. 

In  thus  franklv  avowing  my  willingness  to  labor  in  any  position  which  may 
be  thought  best  for  the  public  good,  I  do  not  wish  to  be  considered  guilty  of  the 
affectation  of  indifference  to  the  great  honor  which  my  fellow-citizens  thus  pro- 
pose to  bestow  upon  me.  On  the  contrary,  I  should  consider  it  the  crowning 
glory  of  my  life  to  be  placetl  in  a  position  where  I  could  most  advance  the  inter- 
ests and  honor  of  North  Carolina,  and,  if  necessar}-,  lead  her  gallant  sons  against 
her  foes.     But  I  shall  be  content  with  the  people's  will.     Let  them  speak. 

Sincerely  deprecating  the  growing  tendency  tow'ard  partv  strife  amongst  our 
people,  which  every  patriot  should  shun  in  the  presence  of  the  common  danger, 
I  earnestly  pray  for  that  unity  of  sentiment  and  fraternity  of  feeling  w  hich  alone, 
with  the  favor  of  God,  can  enable  us  to  prosecute  this  war  for  liberty  and  inde- 
pendence, against  all  odds  and  under  every  adversity,  lo  a  glorious  and  trium- 
phant issue. 

Very  sincerely,  yours,  Z.   B.   V.iNCE. 

He  was  elected  governor  in  1862,  and  dnrini^  tlie  .stormy 
period  of  these  years  he  exhibited  the  highest  executive 
ability  in  the  discharge  of  the  exacting  duties  of  his  posi- 
tion. He  exalted  personal  liberty  and  its  safegnard.  He 
equipped  and  sent  to  the  Confederacy  more  men  according 
to  population  than  were  furnished  by  any  other  Southern 
State.  North  Carolina  soldiers  were  better  clad,  the  peo- 
ple at  home  had  more  comforts  of  life,  all  due  to  his  wise 
forethought  in  the  exports  of  cotton  to  Europe  and  pur- 
chase of  supplies  in  the  European  markets.  So  conspicu- 
ous were  his  services  during  these  years  that  he  became 
known  throughout  the  South  as  the  great  war  governor. 
He  frequently  visited  the  soldiers  in  their  camp  and  was 
alwa^■s  a  welcome  and   honored   guest.      A  member  of  his 


1/6       Address  of  Mr.   W'oodard  of  Nortli   CaroIi)ia. 

staff  lias   written   a   most   graphic  account  of  the  \-isit  of  ■ 
Governor  Van'CE  to  the  Army  of  Nortliern  \'irginia.     Says 
tliis  gentleman: 

Among  the  most  pleasant  incidents  of  my  service  as  a  member  of  the  governor's 
staff  was  a  visit  which  I  made  with  him  to  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  in  the 
winter  of  1S03. 

He  was  then  a  candidate  for  reelection  to  the  gubernatorial  chair,  having  filled 
it  for  one  term  with  great  eclat,  Init  being  opposed  by  a  certain  faction  at  home, 
which  proclaimed  itself  for  "peace  and  reconstruction"  on  any  terms.  This 
appeal,  it  was  feared,  had  produced  some  impression  upon  the  minds  of  the  sol- 
diers in  the  field,  and  thougli  the  ostensible  object  of  the  visit  w'as  the  advance- 
ment of  his  political  interests,  its  real  purpose  was  to  rekindle  the  fires  of 
patriotism  in  tlie  hearts  of  the  North  Carolina  troops,  and  to  cheer  and  stimulate 
the  entire  army.  I  liad  supposed  that  I  knew  him  thoroughly  and  appreciated 
him  full)',  but  1  liacl  no  conception  of  his  gifts  as  an  orator  and  of  the  potency  of 
his  personal  magnetism  until  this  memorable  occasion. 

Inspired  alike  h\  the  peculiar  surroundings  antl  the  importance  of  his  niission, 
he  transcended  himself  and  produced  an  impression  upon  the  army,  from  its 
great  captain  to  its  humblest  private,  which  displayed  itself  in  the  wildest  enthu- 
siasm for  the  cause  and  the  most  intense  idolatrv  for  its  eloquent  advocate. 

That  he  should  have  been  thus  inspired  is  not  surprising,  for  the  circumstances 
which  surrounded  him  would  have  stirred  the  heart  of  any  man. 

General  Lee  ordered  a  general  review  in  his  special  honor — an  incident,  I 
believe,  without  parallel  in  the  history  of  the  army. 

Upon  an  immense  plain,  in  the  immediate  neighljorhood  of  Orange  Court 
House,  there  were  assembled  the  troops  which  composed  the  then  unconquered 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia.  These  were  clad  in  rags,  but  wreathed  with  vic- 
tory; their  flags  were  soiled  and  tattered,  but  upon  them  were  inscribed  the 
immortal  names  of  Cold  Harbor,  Manassas,  and  South  Mountain;  tlieir  arms 
were  battered  and  blackened,  but  tlieir  fire  startled  the  nations  and  reverberated 
around  the  world;  their  bands  were  decimated  and  out  of  tune,  but  tliey  still 
discoursed  the  inspiring  strains  of  "Dixie,"'  "The  bonny  bhie  Mag,"  and  "The 
girl  I  left  hehind  me."  And  thougli  many  a  gallant  leader  was  absent  because 
"off  duty"  forever,  Jackson,  Longstreet,  Stuart,  Early,  Ewell,  Hill,  Rhodes, 
Gordon,  Hampton,  Peltigrew,  and  l'"itzhugh  Lee  were  there  to  do  honor  to  Caro- 
lina's illustrious  son. 

Arrayed  in  two  confronting  lines,  and  with  theii'  bronzed  faces  beaming  with 
pleasure  and  e.Npectancy,  the  nol)le  veterans  awaited  the  coming  of  the  old  chief- 
tains whom  they  had  followed  in  triumph  so  long,  and  of  the  youthful  governor 
whose  devotion  to  the  cause  and  lender  care  of  his  own  troops  had  already 
made  him  the  idol  of  them  all.  Finally  the  cannon  boomed  and  General  I.ee 
and  Governor  Van'CK  appeared,  and,  amid  a  storm  of  enthusiastic  cheers  and 
an  avalanche  of  friendly  greetings,  rode  slowly  along  the  excited  lines. 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebiilon  Baird  I 'a inc.        \-j-j 

It  was  a  stirring  scene,  and  as  I  rode  xvitli  this  distinguished  company  and 
gazed  into  the  battered  but  radiant  faces  around  me  and  listened  to  the  grand 
"Confederate  yell"  which  met  their  great  commander  and  his  honored  gu^est,  I 
felt  that  it  was  indeed  an  occasion  to  be  remembered,  and  realized  that  I  stood 
m  tlie  presence  of  heroes  and  conquerors— of  the  men  who  had  made  history, 
and  even  from  their  enemies  the  reputation  of  being  "  the  bravest  soldiers  who 
ever  marched  to  the  music  of  battle." 

So  soon  as  the  review -if  that  military  love  feast  can  be  so  designated— was 
ended  the  men  and  officers  came  crowding  around  the  elevated  platform  which 
had  been  prepared  for  the  orator  and  for  two  hours  gave  him  their  most  earnest 
attention. 

The  day  was  truly  a  proud  one  for  North  Carolina  and  for  her  gifted  son,  and 
a  more  appropriate,  effective,  and  eloquent  address  was  never  uttered  by  human 
lips.     Under  the  influence  of  his  rich  and  varied  imagery,  his  happy  and  grapliic 
illustrations,  his  masterly  grasp  and  inner  meaning,  trenchant  thrusts  and  touch- 
mg  allusions,  his  stirring  appeals  and  deep  pathos,  and,  in  a  word,  his  magnifi- 
cent and  resistless  eloquence,   the  audience  was  stirred,   enraptured,   enthused 
and  earned  away  as  if  by  the  spell  of  a  magician.     Not  a  man  who  heard  the 
impassioned  outburst  of  patriotic  inspiration  would  have  hesitated  to  die  for  his 
country;  and  I  am  convinced  that  in  many  an  hour  of  supreme  peril  afterwards 
It  rang  like  trumpet  tones  through  the  souls   of  those   who  heard  it,  inspiring 
them  to  a  higher  courage,  a  nobler  effort,  a  purer  patriotism,  and  a  more  heroic 
martyrdom  for  the  cause  which  they  loved  so  well.     If  aught  of  lukewarmness 
or  despondency  had  been  produced  by  the  machinations  of  a  selfish  faction  at 
home,  they  vanished  as  the  morning  mist  before  the  rising  sun  under  the  spell  of 
this  good  man's  matchless  elociuence.      I  heard  General   I.ee  remark  that  Gov- 
ernor V.^.N-CE's  visit  to   the  army   had  been   equivalent   to  Its    reenforcement  by 
50,000  men;    and  it   sowed  the   seed   of  a   friendship  between  those   two   true- 
hearted  patriots  which  fructified  even  amid  the  dark  days  preceding  the  surren- 
der, and  grew  and  strengthened  long  after  the  land  which  they  loved  so  well  had 
drained  the  cup  of  sorrow  to  the  dregs. 

It  was  then  that  he  made  classic  the  term  "  Tarheel,"  which  others  had 
hitherto  applied  m  derision  to  the  North  Carolina  soldiers,  by  addressing  them  as 
■•fellow-Tarheels"  and  demonstrating  that  the  sobriquet  was  but  a  synonym  of 
that  tenacious  courage  which  made  them  stick  to  their  post  in  the  hour  of  dan.-er 
upon  so  many  hard-fought  fields  to  their  own  imperishable  honor  and  to  The 
eternal  glory  of  the  mother  State,  and  even  afterwards,  during  the  war  and  up  to 
the  present  moment,  the  most  subtle  compliment  which  can  be  paid  to  a  North 
Carolinian  who  followed  the  banner  of  the  Conlederacy  in  all  of  Its  vicissitudes 
of  fortune  un-il  it  was  furled  forever  at  Appomattox  Is  to  call  him  by  that  homely 
but  blood-liaptized  appellation  of  "Tarheel." 

^    It  was  of  this  speech  that  Gen.  J.  E.  B.  Stuart  said  that 
"if  the  test  of  eloquence  is  its  effect,  this  speech  was  the 

S  Mis  151 12 


1 78      Address  of  Mr.   JJ^oodard  of  North    Carolina. 

most  eloquent  ever  delivered."  At  the  close  of  the  vi'ar 
he  was  arrested  and  imprisoned  here  in  the  Old  Capitol 
Prison.  He  was  soon  released,  returned  to  his  home,  and 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  was  a  well- 
equipped  and  successful  lawyer.  He  often  told  with  keen 
enjoyment  of  the  compliment  paid  him  when  a  young  law- 
yer attending  the  court  of  his  mountain  district.  Many  of 
the  ablest  lawyers  in  the  State  lived  in  this  district. 

Several  of  the  mountaineers  were  on  the  court  green 
discussing  the  merits  of  the  lawyers  who  were  in  attend- 
ance upon  the  court.  At  the  close  of  the  discussion  one 
of  them  .said:  "Well,  if  that  young  man,  Zeb  Vance, 
ever  gets  h\  the  judge  I  would  rather  have  him  than  any 
of  those  old  lawyers."  While  not  a  high  compliment  to 
his  legal  ability  at  the  time,  yet  it  was  a  marked  tribute 
to  his  power  before  the  people;  but  it  was  not  long  before 
he  could  "get  by  the  judge, "  for  he  soon  became  one  of  the 
leading  lawyers  in  the  State. 

One  of  the  last  speeches  made  by  Senator  Vance  in  the 
Senate  was  a  legal  argument  to  sustain  the  position  that 
the  governor  of  a  State  had  no  power  to  appoint  a  Sena- 
tor to  fill  a  vacanc\-  caused  b\-  the  failure  of  the  legislature 
to  elect.  This  speech  was  an  able  and  luminous  constitu- 
tional argument,  and,  though  the  views  sustained  by  him 
were  not  at  that  time  entertained  by  a  majorit\'  of  the 
Committee  on  Privileges  and  Elections  or  of  the  Senate, 
his  argument  convinced  a  majority  of  that  bod\  that  his 
was  the  correct  view  of  the  question.  The  distinguished 
gentleman  who  now  presides  over  the  Senate  with  so 
much  ability,  in  speaking  of  Senator  V.VN'CE,  said  to  me 
that  this  speech  was  the  ablest  presentation  of  the  ques- 
tion  made  bv  an\-  S^-nator,   although    man\'  of  the  ablest 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebu/on  Baird  J'aiice.       179 

lawyers  of  that  body  engaged  in  the  discussion.  No  higher 
compliment  conld  be  paid  to  his  ability  as  a  lawyer.  He 
was  a  great  political  leader.  The  people  of  his  State 
gladly  gave  him  every  position  of  honor  in  their  gift.  I 
doubt,  Mr.  Speaker,  if  there  ever  lived  a  man  in  our  cotm- 
try  who  had  the  infltience  and  power  in  his  State  that  was 
accorded  Senator  Vance.  He  had  their  love  and  confi- 
dence. In  almost  every  home  in  North  Carolina,  whether 
it  be  a  cabin,  in  the  mountain  cave,  or  the  brick  mansion  of 
the  city,  upon  its  walls  the  genial  and  kindly  countenance 
of  Senator  Vance  looks  down  upon  you.  Hundreds  of 
children  of  the  State  bear  his  name.  The  people  confided 
in  his  wisdom,  reverenced  his  integrity,  and  loved  him  for 
his  own  sake. 

One  has  well  said: 

His  wise  sayings,  his  sparkling  witticisms,  his  charming  humor,  were  the 
guide,  the  liglit,  and  cheer  of  every  hearthstone  in  the  State.  His  kindly  nature, 
his  true  manliness,  his  peerless  intellect,  his  clear  judgment,  made  him  the  wel- 
come, honored  guest  of  the  cottage  of  the  poor  and  the  mansion  of  the  rich. 
The  Jewish  theocracy  guarded  the  law  with  such  jealousy  that  he  who  but  laid 
his  hand  upon  the  ark  was  stricken  with  death.  With  that  same  care  he  stood 
ke.'bre  our  constitution  in  times  of  peril,  when  elsewhere  the  law  was  silent  amid 
the  clash  of  arms.  Did  he  ever  fail  in  his  devotion  to  North  Carolina?  Had  he 
an  enemy  who  was  not  also  her  enemy  ? 

As  a  campaign  speaker  he  was  unequaled,  and  I  doubt  if 
in  the  last  quarter  of  a  century  there  was  a  public  speaker 
in  this  country  who  was  so  eifective  on  the  stump.  He  was 
a  great  orator.  His  wit,  his  eloquence,  his  logic,  charmed 
his  audiences,  and  no  one  who  came  to  hear  him  ever  grew 
wearied.  He  was  a  masterful  humorist.  He  had  superior 
literar}-  tastes.  His  lectures  and  literary  addresses  are  all 
models  of  a  clear,  chaste,  and  vigorous  style,  oftentimes  elo- 
quent, and  always  evidencing  thorough  acqtiaintance  with 
the  best  literarv  thought  of  the  dav.      It  will  be  fortunate 


i8o       Additss  of  Ml-.   W'oodard  of  Xortli  Carolina. 

if  the  lectures  and  addresses  he  delivered  on  \-arioMs  sub- 
jects and  his  speeches  in  the  Senate  can  be  preserved  in 
some  permanent  form.  The  volume  containing  them 
would  be  a  most  valuable  contribution  to  the  literature  of 
our  country. 

But,  ^Ir.  Speaker,  the  work  which  has  entitled  Senator 
\'an'CE  to  a  most  conspicuous  position  among  the  great 
men  of  the  countrx'  is  his  labors  in  the  United  States 
Senate.  Coming  to  that  bod}'  preceded  by  a  reputation  as 
a  statesman  of  ability,  he  was  soon  recognized  as  one  of  its 
ablest  members  and  was  assigned  to  membership  on  the 
leading  committees  of  that  body.  Recognizing  at  that 
time  that  in  the  near  future  the  great  questions  which 
would  confront  Congress  for  settlement  would  be  the 
proper  adjustment  of  the  tariff  taxation  and  a  just  settle- 
ment of  the  financial  question,  he  began  the  thorough 
study  of  these  questions,  and  it  has  been  well  said  bv  his 
associates  in  that  body  that  no  Senator  discussed  them 
with  mure  power  and  ability  than  did  Senator  Vanck. 
When  the  McKinley  bill  was  pending  in  the  Senate  Sena- 
tor Vance,  as  a  member  of  the  Finance  Committee,  was 
the  recognized  leader  of  his  party,  and  the  burden  of  the 
debate  of  that  bill  fell  largely  upon  him.  The  student  of 
the  difficult  and  complex  question  of  the  tariff  can  find  in 
the  literature  of  that  subject  no  more  vahtable  material  for 
its  mastery  than  the  speeches  of  Senator  \'ance,  and  upon 
most  of  the  important  questions  coming  before  that  body 
he  spoke  and  alwa\s  with  singular  force  and  abilit}-.  As 
Senator  Gray  has  so  well  said: 

His  et|uipmciil  as  an  orator  was  strong  and  unique.  There  are  few  of  us  who 
can  not  recall  the  ileli^jht  occasioned  hy  the  display  of  his  wit,  and  how  story, 
epiijrani,  and  apt   illustration  lii;htL-d  up  many  a  tedious  discussion,  his  clearness 


Life  and  Character  of  Zcbiilon  Baird  I'ance.       i8i 

of  mental  vision  making  many  a  crooked  path  straight.  No  debate  was  ever  dull 
in  which  he  was  engaged,  and  no  one  cared  to  leave  this  Chamber  when  Vance 
was  on  the  floor. 

Senator  Vance  gave  much  thought  and  study  to  the 
financial  question  and  was  a  strong  advocate  of  the  resto- 
ration of  silver  to  the  position  it  occupied  prior  to  1S73, 
believing  that  the  free  coinage  of  silver  would  promote  the 
best  interests  of  the  people  of  the  whole  country. 

The  last  speech  he  made  in  the  Senate  was  in  opposition 
to  the  unconditional  repeal  of  the  Sherman  law.  I  always 
considered  it  a  great  privilege  to  have  heard  this  speech, 
by  many  considered  one  of  the  ablest  ever  de'i\-ered  in  the 
Senate. 

Fatal  disease  had  already  laid  its  hand  upon  him.  His 
stalwart  frame  had  grown  feeble  and  weak,  his  voice  had 
lost  much  of  its  peculiar  charm  and  power.  He  was 
speaking  when  I  entered  the  Senate.  Almost  every  Sen- 
ator was  in  his  seat,  listening  eagerly  to  the  powerful  , 
argument  lie  was  making.  He  had  not  proceeded  long 
before  all  evidence  of  his  feeble  condition  had  seemingly 
passed  away,  and  feeling,  as  he  no  doubt  did,  that  this 
might  be  his  last  appeal  for  legislation  believed  bv  him  to 
be  vital  for  the  best  interests  of  his  people,  he  husbanded 
all  his  strength  and  for  nearly  two  hours  held  the  undivided 
attention  of  the  Senate.  It  was  a  great  speech,  enlivened 
by  the  flashes  of.  his  wit  and  humor,  his  argument  sus- 
tained by  his  powerful  logic.  It  deserves  to  rank  among 
the  ablest  delivered  by  any  Senator  during  that  memorable 
debate. 

At  the  close  of  the  e.xtra  session  he  went  to  Black 
Mountain,  hoping  to  regain  his  health  in  the  bracing  and 
health-o'lving;  air  of  his  beautiful  mountain  home. 


i82       Address  of  Mr.   Woodard  of  Xorth  Carolina. 

He  returned  at  the  regular  session,  but  it  was  apparent 
to  his  friends  that  his  career  was  ended.  At  his  home 
in  this  city  he  was  confined  for  many  weeks.  I  saw  him 
often.  He  was  the  same  genial,  kindly  man.  An  hour 
spent  with  him  was  always  a  pleasant  memory. 

He  was  buried  in  the  beautiful  cemetery  at  Asheville,  at 
the  foot  of  the  mountains  he  loved  so  well.  Others  have 
spoken  of  the  deep  grief  manifested  b}-  all  classes  of  our 
people,  and  of  the  honors  paid  his  memory.  In  ever}' 
town  in  the  St£.te  services  were  held,  addresses  made,  and 
resolutions  adopted  expressive  of  the  sorrow  of  our  people 
and  of  their  appreciation  of  his  character  and  services.  He 
sleeps  well,  awaiting  the  resurrection  morn. 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebulon  Baird  I  'ance.        183 


Address  of  Mr.  Crawford. 

Mr.  vSpeaker:  We  pause  to-day  to  pay  a  tribute  of  respect 
to  the  memory  of  the  late  Senator  Vance — to  drop  a  tear, 
as  it  were,  on  his  grave.  Eulogy,  at  this  time  and  place, 
can  but  imperfectly  outline  the  character  and  public  serv- 
ice of  the  dead  patriot  and  statesman.  It  must  be  left  to 
the  historian  to  review  and  analyze  the  great  life  work 
of  the  peerless  and  incomparable  V.'VNCE  and  give  him  his 
true  place  in  his  country's  history. 

Zebulon  Baird  Vance  was  born  in  Buncombe  County, 
N.  C,  May  13,  1S30,  in  the  district  which  I  have  the  honor 
to  represent.  He  was  not  surrounded  by  the  lu.Kuries  of 
wealth,  but  the  ordinary  comforts  of  life,  and  it  may  be 
said  that  his  greatest  heritage  was  a  poverty  that  gave  him 
an  opportunity  to  build  his  own  fortune — and  he  built  as 
a  master  builder.  Nature  endowed  him  with  a  double  por- 
tion of  the  essential  elements  of  true  greatness  and  cast  his 
lot  among  the  beautiful  and  picturesque  Alleghanies,  in  the 
very  heart  of  the  "Land  of  the  Sky,"  in  the  shadow,  as 
it  were,  of  Mount  Mitchell,  Pisgah,  and  a  score  of  other 
peaks  whose  summits  pierce  the  clouds  6,000  feet  above 
the  sea.  That  portion  of  North  Carolina  was  then  compar- 
ati\ely  an  isolated  spot,  where  the  busy  ways  of  trade  had 
not  been  learned,  and  where  the  tireless  march  of  progres." 
had  scarcely  tread — 

.\  solitude 
Of  vast  extent,  untouched  by  hand  of  art, 
Where  Nature  sowed  herself 
And  reap'd  her  crops. 


1 84       Address  of  Mr.  Crawford  of  XortJi  Carolina. 

To  him  these  mountains  were  an  inspiration;  upon  their 
grandeur  his  soul  feasted,  and  his  young  life  was  filled  with 
a  love  and  admiration  for  the  beautiful  and  sublime  in  na- 
ture. The  fountain  of  his  aspiration  was  fed  by  nature  her- 
self, and  fro'.n  her  open  book  he  learned  his  most  valuable 
lessons.  The  breeze  that  winged  its  way  from  mountain 
cavern,  the  sunbeam  that  frolicked  with  the  leaf\'  forest, 
the  flower  that  smiled  upon  the  grassy  dell,  the  brook  that 
lisped  its  never-ending  song,  all  had  a  message  for  him, 
and  in  them  and  beyond  them  all  he  saw  and  realized  the 
power,  the  wisdom,  and  the  goodne.ss  of  God. 

The  intellectual  faculties  of  young  \'anx'E  were  aided  by 
an  indomitable  will  power,  and  he  seized  every  opportunity 
within  his  grasp  for  acquiring  an  education.  After  attend- 
ing the  best  schools  of  the  community  he  took  a  course  at 
Washington  College,  Tennessee,  and  subsequently  a  select 
course,  including  law,  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina. 
He  located  in  Asheville  to  practice  his  profession,  and  at 
the  age  of  twenty-two  he  was  prosecuting  attorney  of  Bun- 
combe County;  at  twenty-four  he  was  a  member  of  the 
legislature,  and  at  twenty-eight  he  was  elected  to  Congress 
to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  Thomas  L.  Clingman,  who 
had  been  appointed  to  the  Senate.  The  district  had  been 
largely  Democratic,  and  the  part\'  had  for  a  candidate  a 
strong  exponent  in  W.  W.  Avery.  But,  contrary  to  all  ex- 
pectation, the  Whigs  carried  it,  electing  Vance  by  a  hand- 
some majority — the  youngest  man  North  Carolina  ever  sent 
to  Congress.  He  was  again  elected  in  iS6o  over  Col.  David 
Coleman. 

His  term  in  the  House  was  brief,  but  he  made  for  him- 
self a  national  reputation,  and  by  his  faithful  and  efficient 


Lijc  and  Cliaractcr  of  Zchitlon  Baird  I  'ainc.        185 

services  he  endeared  himself  more  than  ever  to  the  people 
of  his  State.  He  was  a  strong  Union  man  and  opposed 
secession  with  all  the  ardor  of  his  \-igorous  nature,  but 
surrendered  his  judgment  to  the  wisdom  of  his  so\ereign 
State  when  she  withdrew  from  the  Union.  He  resip-ned 
his  seat  in  Congress,  came  home,  organized  a  compan}-, 
and  went  to  the  seat  of  war.  In  a  few  months  he  was 
made  colonel  of  the  Twenty-sixth  North  Carolina,  and 
participated  m  the  "seven  days'  fight"  around  Richmond. 
In  1862,  while  in  the  field,  he  was  elected  governor  over 
Col.  William  Johnson. 

His  administration  was  more  aggressive  than  that  of  any 
other  governor  of  the  seceded  States,  and  he  was  known  as 
the  "war  governor  of  the  South."  Under  his  administra- 
tion North  Carolina  mustered  and  sent  to  the  war  more 
men  than  any  other  State  of  the  Confederacy — more  than 
one-sixth  of  the  whole  number  enlisted.  He  was  quick  to 
realize  that  the  State  could  not  equip  and  maintain  her 
soldiers  in  the  field  without  the  aid  of  foreign  commerce;' 
therefore  he  purchased  a  splendid  steamer  in  the  Clyde, 
and  successfully  ran  the  blockade,  exchanging  cotton  for 
arms,  ammunition,  and  clothing  for  the  soldiers  and  .salt 
and  other  domestic  articles  for  the  people  at  home. 

The  popularity  of  Governor  V.A.NCE  was  unbounded. 
His  wise  policy  and  successful  administration  met  the  ap- 
proval of  the  people  generally,  and  in  1S64  he  was  again 
elected  by  a  large  majority  over  W.  W.  Holden. 

Mr.  Speaker,  fate  had  decreed  against  the  dissolution  of 
the  Union,  the  resources  of  the  South  were  finally  exhausted, 
and  the  Confederacy  collapsed.  The  leading  oflScials  were 
arrested  and  imprisoned.     Governor  Vance  was  brought 


i86      Addfcss  of  Mr.  Crazcford  of  Xortli  Carolina. 

to  this  city  and  confined  in  the  Old  Capitol,  but  after  a  few 
months  was  released.  He  returned  home,  located  in  Char- 
lotte, and  resumed  the  practice  of  law.  But  never  for  a 
moment  did  he  lose  sight  of  the  political  situation.  Dur- 
ing the  dark  days  of  reconstruction  no  man  did  so  much 
to  make  the  harsh  and  unwise  policy  of  the  Federal  Admin- 
istration odious  as  Zebulon  B.  Vance.  While  others 
hesitated  and  faltered,  he  struck  straight  from  the  shoulder 
with  his  keen  Damascus  blade,  and  never  failed  to  leave 
a  gaping  wound.  He  hurled  his  thunderbolts  against  the 
carpetbag  regime  with  the  precision  of  Jove. 

I  believe  that  when  the  historian  comes  to  review  the 
long  and  illustrious  services  of  Senator  V.A.NCE  to  his 
State  it  will  be  recorded  that  the  period  of  reconstruction 
furnished  the  brightest  star  in  his  crown  of  fame.  That 
period  when  the  South  was  in  a  formative  state,  passing 
from  the  old  to  the  new  order  of  things;  when  local  self- 
government  was  overthrown,  and  the  people  were  under 
the  iron  heel  of  oppression;  when  his  beloved  State  had 
been  stricken  by  the  devastating  hand  of  war,  and  carrion 
vultures  were  flocking  to  feed  upon  its  emaciated  form; 
then  it  was  he  rose  with  the  strength  of  )'oung  Hercules, 
and  from  one  end  of  the  State  to  the  other  lie  attacked 
these  hordes  of  despoilers  with  a  boldness  and  power  that 
were  irresistible,  and  rallied  the  patriotic  and  conserva- 
tive people  to  his  support  and  overturned  their  rule  of  riot 
and  ruin.  Wise  and  wholesome  laws  were  enacted,  the 
right  of  local  self-government  was  restored  to  the  bona 
fide  citizens,  and  no  vState  in  the  Union  with  like  advan- 
tages has  made  greater  progress,  and  no  people  have  been 
more  wisely,  honestly,  and  economicalK-  go\erned  than  the 


Life  a)id  Character  of  Zebu  I  on  Baird  Vance.        187 

people  of  North  Carolina.  These  results  are  largeh-  at- 
tributable to  Senator  Vance,  for  he  was  in  close  touch 
with  the  masses  and  had  great  influence  in  molding  public 
sentiment  and  in  shaping  political  policies.  He  was  the 
idol  of  the  people,  and  they  trusted  him  with  implicit  con- 
fidence and  loved  him  as  they  loved  no  other  man.  They 
delighted  to  honor  him  and  bestowed  upon  him  their 
choicest  gifts. 

Mr.  Speaker,  the  issues  of  the  war  brought  about  a 
political  revolution  and  made  friends  of  former  antago- 
nists. Upon  these  issues  the  Whig  party  went  to  pieces 
and  Senator  Vance  became  a  Democrat  and  opposed  the 
Republican  party  with  greater  zeal  than  he  had  opposed 
the  Democratic  party  when  he  was  a  Whig.  He  was  as 
true  to  the  principles  of  Democracy-  as  the  needle  to  the 
pole,  and  at  the  hands  of  the  Democratic  party  received 
his  greatest  honors.  He  was  elected  to  the  United  States 
Senate  in  1870,  but  was  not  allowed  to  take  his  seat  on 
account  of  political  disabilities  incurred  during  the  war. 

In  1876  he  was  nominated  for  governor,  and  the  Repub- 
licans nominated  Judge  Settle,  their  best  and  ablest  man. 
Their  joint  campaign  was  the  most  memorable  in  the  his- 
tory- of  the  State,  and  is  fresh  in  the  minds  of  all  who 
heard  it.  It  was  a  battle  of  the  giants — Greek  meeting 
Greek.  They  were  both  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  both 
were  splendid  specimens  of  physical  manhood.  The  dis- 
cussion was  masterly  and  on  a  high  plane.  Zeb  Vance, 
as  he  was  familiarly  called,  was  a  household  word,  though 
I  had  never  seen  him  until  the  day  of  the  speaking  at 
Waynesville.  But  few  days  of  my  life  are  as  clearly  pho- 
tographed on  my  mind  as  that,  and  the  scope  of  no  debate 


rSS      Address  of  Mr.  Crazvford  of  North  Carolina. 

is  so  well  reineiiibcred.  The  people  turned  out  en  masse, 
and  the  discussion  took  place  in  the  grove  at  the  Baptist 
church,  Vance  leading  off.  I  remember  the  first  words  he 
uttered,  and  to  the  closing  sentence  he  held  me  spellbound. 
Never  before  had  I  heard  such  an  outburst  of  wit,  humor, 
and  eloquence.  His  great  speech,  combined  with  his  fine 
physique  and  stately  bearing,  made  him  at  once  mv  ideal 
statesman,  and  such  he  remained  through  life.  The  Dem- 
ocrats carried  the  vState,  electing  Vaxce  by  a  majority  of 
over  13,000. 

After  serving  two  years  as  governor,  he  was  elected 
to  the  vSenate,  and  took  his  seat  March  iS,  1879,  and  was 
reelected  in  1SS5,  and  again  in  1S91.  To  undertake  to 
review  his  course  in  the  Senate  would  be  to  give  a  resume 
of  the  important  legislation  of  that  body  since  he  became 
a  member.  He  entered  the  Senate  at  the  age  of  fortv- 
nine,  with  an  experience  of  twenty-five  years  in  public 
affairs  and  a  national  reputation  which  put  him  at  once  in 
the  front  rank  of  American  Senators  For  a  number  of 
}^ears  he  had  been  a  leading  member  of  the  Finance  Com- 
mittee, and  devoted  most  of  his  time  to  the  tariff  and  finan- 
cial questions,  and  had  much  to  do  with  the  legislation 
along  these  lines.  He  led  the  fight  of  the  minoritv  against 
the  McKinley  bill  and  demonstrated  that  he  had  tlior- 
oughly  mastered  the  subject  in  detail. 

It  was  the  ambition  of  his  life  to  live  to  see  the  tariff 
reformed  in  the  interest  of  the  people  and  silver  restored  to 
its  constitutional  j)lace  as  a  money  metal  of  the  country. 
For  these  results  he  labored  in  season  and  out  of  season. 
Often  he  met  successfully  in  debate  the  champions  of  the 
protective  tariff  and  the  gold  standard.     He  had  but  few 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebitlo)i  Baird  I  'ance.        1S9 

equals  and  no  superiors  in  debate.  His  nature  was  pugna- 
cious and  combative,  but  his  sword  was  never  drawn 
except  in  defense  of  the  people's  rights,  and  when  drawn 
was  never  sheathed  until  the  right  prevailed.  But  he  was 
a  generous,  manly  opponent,  sincere  and  honest,  and  never 
resorted  to  a  temporizing  expedient  to  gain  advantage  over 
his  antagonist. 

Mr.  Speaker,  Senator  \'.^NCE  was  a  stirdent,  and  by  too 
close  application  his  health  was  gradually  undermined,  and 
before  he  was  aware  he  was  rapidly  approaching  the  grave. 
The  last  speech  he  made  was  on  the  ist  of  September,  1893, 
against  the  unconditional  repeal  of  the  Sherman  law. 
With  prophetic  wisdom  he  predicted  that  there  would  be 
no  legislation  favorable  to  silver  if  not  had  at  the  time  the 
Sherman  law  was  repealed.  This  was  one  of  the  greatest 
speeches  of  his  life,  and  he  spoke  with  his  old-time  vigor. 
When  he  had  concluded,  I  congratulated  him,  saying, 
"Governor,  vou  seem  to  be  yourself  again,"  and  he  re- 
plied, "By  no  means;  lam  thoroughh' exhausted."  And 
the  great  statesman  and  patriot  stepped  out  of  the  Senate 
and  the  doors  closed  behind  him  forever. 

For  some  time  he  had  realized  that  an  insidious  malady 
was  sapping  his  vitals,  and  with  a  hope  of  relief  he  sought 
the  sights  and  scenes  of  lands  beyond  the  seas.  Perhaps 
the  deep,  heaving  billow  or  the  cheery  whisper  of  the 
wavelets  ;  perhaps  the  soft  caress  of  ocean's  briny  breath — 
perhaps  these  might  lend  a  balm  to  heal  him.  He  spent 
several  months  in  Europe,  visiting  famous  health  resorts, 
but  returned  home  without  realizing  his  hopes.  He  re- 
sumed his  duties  in  the  Senate,  but  soon  it  became  nec- 
essary for  him  again  to  abandon  his  work,  and  he  retired, 


I  go      Address  of  Mr.  Craivford  of  North  Carolina. 

as  he  had  often  done,  to  the  sweet  seclnsion  of  his  moun- 
tain home  in  North  Carolina,  to  enjoy  tlie  companionship 
of  tree  and  bird  and  brook,  where  he  could  lay  his  head 
upon  the  bosom  of  the  solitude  and  feel  the  refreshing 
influence  of  nature's  heart  throbs.  This  seemed  to  give 
him  a  new  lease  on  life,  and  he  returned  to  attend  the 
extra  session  of  Congress,  in  the  summer  of  1893,  with  his 
health  apparently  restored.  But  his  laborious  work  as 
chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Privileges  and  Elections, 
the  long,  tedious  struggle  over  the  rej^eal  of  the  Sherman 
law,  and  the  worry  and  disappointment  over  offices  for  his 
friends  completely  prostrated  him. 

Still  hoping  that  the  coveted  panacea  might  be  found, 
he  went  to  Florida;  but  alas!  he  grew  worse,  returned  to 
his  home  in  Washington,  and,  after  lingering  a  few  weeks, 
died  on  the  night  of  the  14th  of  April,  1894.  He  could  no 
longer  flee  from  death.  The  sands  in  the  hourglass  had 
refused  to  flow;  the  gateway  to  another  world  was  reached, 
and  life  vanished  like  a  rainbow  on  a  summer's  morning. 
His  was  a  painless  death.  The  angel  poised  in  contempla- 
tive silence  above  the  ebbing  and  flowing  tide,  and  seeing 
the  weary  waves  roll  heavily  against  the  shore,  reached 
down  and  laid  a  gentle  hand  upon  the  flood — and  he  was 
dead. 
/—  The  climax  of  his  life  was  heralded  by  a  glorious  sun- 
set, while  the  night  drew  on  as  gently  as  the  summer's 
gloaming,  and  brightly  gleamed  the  halo  that  crowned 
his  earthly  career  as  he  fell  Death's  captive  on  tlie  thresh- 
old of  the  night.  "^Too  soon  it  seemed  the  autumn  of  his 
life  drew  swiftly  on;  too  soon  the  hungry  breath  of  ill-timed 
winter  sought  to  steal  away  the  glories  of  his  ripening  years. 


Life  and  Character  of  Zebulon  Baird  I  'ance.        191 

and  his  spirit,  like  a  swift-winged  bird  of  passage,  took  its 
flight  to  brighter  and  more  genial  climes.   -- 

When  the  message  was  flashed  along  the  electric  wires, 
"Senator  Vance  is  dead,"  the  heart  of  every  North  Caro- 
linian was  sad;  for  all  realized  that  his  death  was  not  only 
a  great  and  irreparable  loss  to  the  State,  bnt  to  each  indi- 
vidual a  personal  bereavement,  for  every  man,  rich  and 
poor  alike,  could  say,  "He  was  my  friend." 

The  remains  of  the  dead  Senator  were  escorted  to  a  last 
resting  place  among  his  native  mountains  in  North  Caro- 
lina, the  dearest  place  to  him  in  all  the  world.  Among 
these  mountains  he  was  born,  among  them  he  spent  his 
young  manhood,  to  them  he  resorted  for  recuperation  in 
his  failing  years,  and  there  he  desired  to  sleep  while  the 
ages  roll  on. 

The  body  la)-  in  state  in  the  capitol  at  Raleigh  for  sev- 
eral hours,  and  hundreds  came  sorrowfully  to  take  the  last 
earthlv  view  of  their  own  loved  Vance.  The  whole  State 
was  as  a  stricken  household.  The  stations  between  Ral- 
eigh and  Asheville  were  thronged  with  people,  hoping  that 
they  might  have  an  opportunity  once  more  to  see  the  face 
of  their  true  friend  and  trusted  leader.  Asheville  was 
reached  in  the  early  morning  of  the  iSth.  The  city  was 
draped  in  mourning,  and  a  sorrowing  multitude  that  came 
from  far  and  near  stood  about  the  streets  waiting  to  pay 
the  last  tribute  of  love  and  respect  to  him  who  was  return- 
inof  home  after  the  conflicts  of  life  were  ended.  The  air 
was  pleasant  and  the  morning  sun  shone  brighth',  but  soon 
the  skv  drew  a  veil  of  somber  clouds  about  its  face,  the 
mountains  grew  dark  and  gloomy,  and  as  we  stooped  with 
tender  hands  and  bleeding  hearts  to  give  him  to  the  tomb, 


^ 


192       .-if/drcss  of  Mr.  Craze  ford  of  North  Carolina. 

the   \-ery  elements   seemed   to  see   our  grief  and   dropped 
with  us  their  tears. 

He  sleeps  in  beautiful  Riverside,  and  the  rolling  French 
Broad  that  soothed  his  childhood  slumbers  will  ever  sing 
to  his  moldering  ashes.     Sleep  on  ! 

There  is  no  death  !     The  stars  go  down 

To  rise  upon  some  other  shore ; 
And  bright  in  heaven's  jeweled  crown 

They  shine  forevermore. 

Mr.  BuNN.  I  now  ask,  Mr.  Speaker,  that  under  the  reso- 
lution already  adopted  the  House  be  declared  adjourned  as 
a  further  mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased. 

And  then,  in  accordance  with  the  resolutions  already 
adopted,  the  Speaker  pro  tempore  (at  5  o'clock  and  iS  min- 
utes p.  m.)  declared  the  House  adjourned  until  Monday 
at  II  o'clock  a.  m. 


V 


f'. 


--■  •«<sa 


% 


